Matthew builds a career with family and community at heart

Port Lincoln’s Matthew Goodwin.

There’s comforting familiarity raising a family in your home town, and for Port Lincoln’s Matthew Goodwin it’s a unique nostalgia treading the familiar, well-worn path between the sporting grounds and the sandy beaches of his youth, now with his own young family in tow.  

“Growing up in Port Lincoln, farming and sport were the lifeblood of the Eyre Peninsula community, and they still are – it provides a great opportunity to meet quality people, you then get to meet their parents and grandparents and now meeting their kids as their families grow and it feels pretty special that my two boys are involved in the same community as I was as a kid.”

Having grown a healthy network through his lifetime in local sport, Matthew is equally recognised in the community thanks to his extensive banking career, with this Rabobank Rural Manager embracing the opportunity the Eyre Peninsula affords.

“Geographically, Eyre Peninsula is large, but it always seems small because of the close community – when you’re on the road pulling up at the bakery, or at the servo, there’s always someone you know for a chat, whether it’s through footy or banking.”

“Building those relationships over a lifetime has been a genuine pleasure.”
 

Matthew with sons Albert and George after, he laughs, ‘being roped into a game’.

As such, the relationship focus at Rabobank was a particular drawcard, with Matthew joining the team in 2020 after two decades working across the local industry.

“There is genuine care for clients and the community here at Rabobank, which is demonstrated through the resources they put back into clients, from RaboTruck events to RaboResearch insights, everything the bank does is to give back to clients,” Matt smiles.

Getting out on the road and visiting his clients is always a highlight, and Matt praises the progressive, down-to-earth nature of the local farming community.

“Our farmers on the EP are fantastic,” he beams. “They challenge systems to continually improve, and they’re extremely community-minded, everyone wants the best for the district and there’s a camaraderie that’s very generous.” 

A two year sea change oyster farming early in his career gave Matt first-hand insights into the mechanics of a family run aquaculture business, and while it was “great fun”, the experience reinforced his passion for banking, and the opportunity to support local farmers.  

“The best part of my job is getting out on farm with Rabo clients and understanding their business, their long-term vision, and focussing on their short-term goals so we can work towards their greater aspirations.”

With its sole focus on agriculture, Matthew said he was struck by the ‘on the ground’ engagement of all levels of management.   

“There is a strong culture across the whole bank around the importance of being client focussed – to be in touch with our local farmers, understand their businesses, and being aligned in our support of them – it’s really refreshing, and underpins a genuine relationship-based approach.”
 

Matthew on farm with clients, Karen and  Wes Matthews from Koongawa.

Contending with the continual challenges farmers face is the reality Rabobank, as an agri focussed bank, understands.

“Despite the low annual rainfall last year our clients were pleasantly surprised by yields, yet unfortunately faced the challenge of low commodity prices,” Matthew reflects.

“The beauty of Rabobank is that we can see beyond these headwinds to help our clients meet their long-term goals.”

“The fact that our clients achieved above average yields last year, despite below average rainfall demonstrates the improved innovation around best practice, and the capacity of our local farmers – and that’s a very exciting journey to be on with them.”

With its fishing, farming and beaches, Matthew believes Port Lincoln offers the best of all worlds, and is proud to be raising his two sons, George, 11, and Albert, 6, together with wife Michelle, in his home town.

“My wife Michelle grew up in Alice Springs and she has really embraced the Eyre Peninsula lifestyle, she loves taking the old caravan through Coffins, Tumby, Arno and stopping off at Wudinna on the way through to Venus, Streaky, and Ceduna on the West Coast… Unfortunately she always catches more fish than me, which is clearly not ideal!”
 

Matthew was the successful coach of Lincoln City at the recent Mortlock Shield Carnival in June this year - photo supplied Port Lincoln Times.

“I try not to play too much footy these days,” Matthew smiles. “I’m involved on the weekend through umpiring the U12 footy or cricket, and help out with the senior sides at the Wayback Football Club as well as being involved with the Mortlock Shield carnival over the last few years – these are the things you do being part of a local community.”

Community sport is also the platform where his hobby and day job merge, and he smiles that many of his Rabo clients are players, coaches, presidents, secretaries and volunteers in a variety of roles for their local sporting clubs.

“Even though we may be at different clubs or leagues,  local sport provides a connection, and everyone is united in wanting to see the best for our communities on the EP.”

Connecting at EP Field Days

This month, Matthew will join the Rabobank team at the EP Field Days, to be held in Cleve, on August 11 to 13.

“The beauty of the event is its capacity to get so many farmers in one spot.”

“It’s great for our local growers to get off farm and have a look around, to see the latest technology and innovation over the three days, and equally important, to enjoy some social interaction,” Matthew smiles.
 

Matthew and Rabobank’s Port Lincoln team.