Posted by on
17/06/2025
Inverleigh’s Hamilton family, Philippa, Stewart, John, and Hilary.
When Inverleigh’s Stewart Hamilton and his family went out on a limb and purchased farmland in the more marginal Wycheproof region, friends called them crazy.
Twenty years later, and the diversification is now widely acknowledged as a very clever move, and one that has underpinned further growth for the six generation operation.
Creating your own luck
Stewart, who farms with his parents, John and Hilary, and wife Philippa, purchased the land with his family when he was 21-year-old fresh out of ag college.
“It was a large decision in the middle of the millennium drought, yet we had a specific criteria for what the farm needed to be to make sense on paper, and buying some of a property so young gave me an opportunity to be accountable and learn, without impacting the family operation,” he explains.
“After looking at many farms, we approached the owner of a property that ticked all the boxes, it wasn’t for sale, but he said if we were silly enough to buy it, he’d sell it!”
High land values in the Inverleigh district, and enhancing machinery efficiency were the key drivers for the decision to venture north into the Mallee, yet it wasn’t long before the true value of the decision was revealed.
“Land prices rose, we had a few good years under our belt, and built equity to expand back in the south – and now 20 years later people can see our vision, and what was once considered a stupid decision is now frequently referred to as ‘lucky’ – yet we created that luck.”
Philippa and Stewart Hamilton.
The Hamilton family farms 3,000 hectares, primarily wheat, barley and canola across three separate sites, with property also in the Meredith region.
Whilst properties 300km in distance can be logistically complicated, Stewart believes the benefits outweigh the challenges.
“Our farms are a good fit, the diversification spreads the seasonal risk, and we’ve greatly enhanced the efficiency of our machinery which all helps the bottom line.”
Growing with Rabobank
“If you’re not growing, you’re going backwards”, is Stewart’s sentiment, and with the business currently in a growth phase, the family is grateful to have Rabobank, and their Ballarat rural manager, Gavin Svanosio, by their side..
“The beauty of Rabobank is that it’s a dedicated agri bank, and so we don’t have to sit down and explain what we’re doing every step of the way, and the fact we have one point of contact, Gavin, means so much to our business and has made our growth ambitions really streamlined.”
“We chat with Gavin regularly, he knows exactly what’s going on, the good, the bad, the indifferent, and as a agri bank Rabobank understands the cyclical nature of farm businesses.”
“Gavin knows that this year’s income will look different to last year’s, and before we ask for more money he knows we’re coming.”
Rabobank Ballarat's Gavin Svanosio with Stewart and John Hamilton.
“Likewise, when we mention the neighbour’s farm is on the market, we know Gavin’s smiling, because he knows our business and shares our vision.”
Contributing through Rabo Client Council
Stewart is a current board member and director of Southern Farming Systems, which Rabobank has proudly sponsored for 15 years, and a passionate Lieutenant of the Wingeel fire brigade and Deputy Group officer for Winchelsea group CFA.
These community values are further exemplified through Stewart’s participation on the Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Council.
The Hamilton family enjoys a great relationship with Rabobank manager, Gavin Svanosio.
There are six Rabo Client Councils across Australia, each made up of client volunteers who work with the bank to develop and deliver grass roots initiatives, and prioritise where funding can make the greatest impact within the community.
Stewart said it was the opportunity to understand the behind the scenes details of the bank that inspired him to join.
“I want to know the detail behind why Rabobank does what it does – if there’s a carbon training program I want to make sure it’s meaningful and not just ticking a box, or how Rabobank’s global footprint impacts farmers on the ground in Australia.”
“I want to know the ‘why’ a decision gets made, and there’s a lot of feel-good stuff out there without substance so it’s great that Rabobank gives clients an opportunity like this to maintain accountability and a voice of the client.”
“It’s heartening that, as a client, I can be part of conversations that impact the bank, and its communities.”
Having initiated succession planning with Rabobank ten years ago, Stewart is mindful that with three young daughters, Evie, Edwina and Charlotte, the conversation is ongoing, and as such he applauds the Rabo Client Council’s succession planning workshops.
“Succession is hard, there’s no template and these workshops are a great stepping stone to begin the conversation.”
“Now that my children are getting older, whether or not they show an interest in the farm remains to be seen, but we’re approaching the end of Dad and my expansion era together, and plans need to be set for the future.”
Gavin and Stewart in this season’s crop
Financial Skills Workshops are another Rabo Client Council initiative he believes adds value to farmers on the ground.
“No matter what scale of farm you’re running, all farms these days deal in pretty big numbers, so young people need financial skills, and these workshops are farm business specific so they’re highly relevant even if you’ve been to university or have general financial skills.”
Visit the Ballarat team in their new premises Level 1, 210 Sturt Street, and phone number (03) 5364 9300