Posted by on
16/03/2026
Helping clients to prosper is the priority of the whole Gippsland team.
It’s a strong and enthusiastic Rabobank team supporting Gippsland, with a valuable balance of local knowledge, long-term experience, and expertise mixed with youthful energy that underpins the Leongatha, Sale and Warragul branches.
With highly regarded Rabobank stalwart Sally Bull the State Manager, plus Pete Evans, Deputy State Manager, a familiar face after his years of experience, Gippsland is a well-supported, and inspired, team.
For Pete, there’s no greater privilege than working with farmers every day.
“Supporting our clients to prosper is our priority, we all love being on the journey with local farmers in this terrific part of Australia.”
“The way we work as a team is outstanding, and it’s because we all understand our goal, and that’s to make sure we deliver for our clients – ee all enjoy nothing more than seeing our producers thrive, see them at events smiling, and knowing that we’ve got their backs.”
Gippsland Senior Rural Manager, Tony Platt, with local dairy farmer, Tim Morley.
A team dedicated to agriculture
Armed with experience and a genuine passion for agriculture, Pete leads an equally engaged Gippsland team, with the vast majority hailing from farming backgrounds.
“We’re grateful to have the likes of Leongatha-based Senior Rural Manager, Craig Hoober, and Senior Rural Manager, Tony Platt out of the Sale branch, and their decades of experience and knowledge – they are experts in their field, with longevity that can’t be replicated.”
Warragul Rural Manager Cameron de Kok is another team member local to the region who has enjoyed a successful career in agricultural consultancy and banking, with his knowledge of the region an asset to the team, and clients.
And for the team members not local to the region, they bring a global point of difference – not to mention some lovely tea room banter.
Some of the Gippsland team with the RaboTruck recently.
“There are four Kiwis in the Gippsland team,” Pete explains. “With a rainfall, climate and geography similar to New Zealand, plus a strong dairy focus, working with farmers in Gippsland is a familiar, and exciting career opportunity.”
With 20 years of banking experience in New Zealand, Andrew Boyce is currently filling in for Hannah Sturgiss, while she takes maternity leave.
“The beauty of Rabobank – wherever you are in the world – is that our team has an acute understanding of farm businesses, and a genuine desire and ability to work with our clients to support them achieve their aspirations,” Andrew says.
“As a bank dedicated to agriculture, with so many of us with farming backgrounds, there’s a unique empathy and insight around the challenges our clients face, which is important in an industry as complex as agriculture.”
Balancing out the more senior team are emerging leaders such as Leongatha Rural Managers, Max Murray, and Alex Bennett.
“Both Max and Alex grew up amongst agriculture, are well-educated, and excited for the opportunity to support clients achieve their goals,” Pete explains.
“Our next-gen team members bring a renewed energy and perspective that we all enjoy, as well as valuable succession to ensure our team remains stable and vibrant.”
Rabobank’s Alex Bennett and Craig Hoober with Callum Moscript, touring the Moscript family’s recent dairy expansion.
Brooke Leonard is another exciting face in the team, based in Sale, and having previously worked at Livestock Improvement Corporation, specialising in livestock breeding across New Zealand and Europe, Pete believes this expertise demonstrates the impressive depth of knowledge in the team.
“Gippsland clients gain benefit from the emergence of a fresh, energetic and knowledgeable team – with the tech, ag, business skills, and vision, to support clients into the future.”
“This youthful energy coupled with the career longevity of some of the State’s most respected and experienced Rabobank senior rural managers is a unique and exciting proposition for our clients, and team, and it’s a balance we’re very proud of,” Pete smiles.
Rabobank’s Sale team.
Strong leadership and values, from the community up
Armed with a strong commitment to the region in which they work and live, the Gippsland team all enjoying being involved in their local communities.
“Sale Senior Analyst Julieanne Nicholls is involved in the local Country Fire Authority as Captain of the Stradbroke CFA, which is indicative of the contribution from within the team,” Pete says.
From supporting a charity fundraiser for the SONY Foundation, which raises money to provide city accommodation for families of children suffering with cancer, through to being involved in two BlazeAid community days – one for flooding and one for fire – the Gippsland team is proud to contribute to local communities.
“Rabobank has had branches in Gippsland for over 20 years, we’re proud to have retained this presence in our local communities, and we’re looking forward to continue this commitment to clients and community well into the future, because we understand and embrace the opportunities, and the challenges, of agriculture,” Pete smiles.