Posted by on
11/11/2025
She’s a self-described “foodie”, a lover of delicious meals and wine – and having recently won Rabobank’s Tasmanian Farm to Fork Experience Competition, Phoebe’s appreciation now extends well beyond the plate.
This cheery Sydneysider crafted the winning response in Rabobank’s Tasmanian Farm to Fork Experience Competition, outlining what inspired her to become a Rabobank saver and what saving with a bank that supports Australian farmers means to her.
And with a prize package that included a trip to Tasmania’s rural heartland, meeting farmers and indulging in delicious fresh produce, she’s more inspired than ever.
“It was just so invigorating and interesting meeting Rabobank clients from across the region, everything was so new and exciting,” she beams.
“I certainly have a greater appreciation and understanding of agriculture, and what it takes to bring food to our tables, the experience has demystified a whole industry, and makes me even more proud to be saving with Rabobank, where deposits help fund Rabobank’s farming clients.”
Phoebe shared her experience with friends Clive, an accountant from Byron Bay who first introduced her to Rabobank, Ali from rural South Australia, and her partner Greta.
The group enjoyed a personal tour and lunch with Ashgrove Cheese owner Paul Bennett at the operation’s bustling ‘Dairy Door’, which Phoebe smiles “set the whole tone of the trip”.
The group is introduced to Ashgrove Cheese’s Paul Bennett by Rabobank rural manager, Leigh Barker.
“Paul sat with us for well over an hour, and was just so generous with his time and knowledge,” she smiles. “He is such a humble man yet clearly so intelligent – he’s running one of Australia’s most significant and successful dairy businesses yet remains so salt of the earth.”
A visit to the Radford family’s intergenerational operation, which produces beans, potatoes, broccoli, peas, carrots, brussels sprouts, wheat, grass seed and silage, also proved eye-opening.
“We met with Caitlin Radford, who at just 26-years-old is clearly so hands-on helping lead the business, and what really stood out for me was the succession piece, and how families manage intergenerational transfer.”
And it was the business fundamentals, rather than the actual food production, that really piqued Phoebe’s interest.
“The scale of these businesses, and the costs involved – Caitlin’s investment entering into the business made out eyes water, and we’re used to Sydney prices!
Learning more about the Radford family’s operation thanks to a personal tour by Caitlin Radford.
“It seems like the younger generations go away for education, then come back full of new ideas, thinking, and skills, ready to build on what’s been done before them.”
“It was fascinating to hear the intricate planning involved that underpins intergenerational family farms – there’s no one-size-fits-all, the dynamics behind every family and business is so different.”
The two-night adventure also included a visit to the Barwick family’s robotic dairy, which Phoebe declared her highlight of the trip.
“I had no idea how technology can impact agriculture, and how data underpins really informed decisions and positive outcomes,” Phoebe marvels.
“From how much milk each cow produces, to how much food they need for optimal production – it’s a real science – there’s no guesswork, even when it comes to milking a cow, and I had no idea about the technology that drives these businesses.”
With calves dancing around the paddocks, and the rolling green backdrop, Phoebe laughs that she wonders how dairy owners, Shannon and Will Barwick, get any work done at all.
“It’s such a beautiful part of the world, and the Barwicks’ high-tech dairy is so efficient and reflective of modern farming, it was so special to get such a unique, behind-the-scenes look at such an impressive operation.”
Phoebe making some new friends.
The group stayed at luxury farm stay Chatsworth House, with the sun setting over the property a real “pinch me” moment.
“Julie Blanchard and Sonika Singh from the Rabobank deposits team were there to greet us on our first evening, and we sipped champagne and debriefed on our day as the sun set over a paddock of sheep and lambs to a sound track of all sorts of strange farm noises – it truly was spectacular.”
Enjoying a sundowner with Rabobank Deposit team’s Julie Blanchard and Sonika Singh at Chatswood House.
With the group’s farm tours chaperoned by Rabobank Launceston rural manager, Leigh Barker, Phoebe was struck by the genuine friendships between Leigh and his clients.
“It was so refreshing to watch the interaction between Leigh and Paul Bennett, there was banter and business, and Leigh obviously knows Ashgrove Cheese inside out – over the two days we were continually impressed by how strong the relationship is between Rabobank and the farmers they support.”
“I could really tell that Rabobank was more than just a lender of money, there’s a genuine partnership between clients and their manager – and it was so, so beautiful to watch.”
“Even the fact that as a savings customer I now have such a lovely relationship with the deposits team is so unique, I’m not sure you’d get that anywhere else.”
A graphic designer who admits she knew very little about farming, Phoebe entered the competition as a creative exercise.
“The experience sounded amazing, and so I entered to practice my copywriting – I love food, I love knowing where it comes from and I’ve always been really impressed around the ethics of Rabobank supporting farmers.”
“I never, ever imagined I’d actually win!”
Ali, Clive, Phoebe and Greta at Ashgrove Cheese.
A trip to the local supermarket will now take on new meaning since her Tasmanian Farm to Fork Experience, with Phoebe now more mindful of the story behind her purchases.
“Food is our livelihood, and I really didn’t have a grasp on how much goes into producing the food that we enjoy every day – farm businesses are complex and progressive, yet the margins are tight, and the risks are great, particularly as the climate becomes more fragile, and our farmers deserve all the support they can get.”
Ali, Clive, Shannon Barwick, Phoebe, Greta and Will Barwick on the Barwick’s Tasmanian dairy farmers.
“Talking to Caitlin Radford we could feel her energy and conviction in what she was doing, and her vision in what she wanted to do taking over the farm from her parents and grandparents – being in that presence was so moving, and reassuring that the future of farming is in great hands.”
The group finished their trip at Holm Oak Vineyards, and were joined by Julie Blanchard and Sonika Singh from the Rabobank Deposits team.