Sonia committed to building vibrant communities

Charters Towers’ Sonia Spurdle enjoys contributing to rural community life through the Rabo Client Council.

If you want a job done, ask a busy person.

It’s an adage Queensland’s Sonia Spurdle knows only too well – when there’s something that needs doing, this can-do mother of four and beef cattle producer is the first to raise her hand.

While some may bemoan the inevitable additional tasks required to keep rural and regional communities vibrant, Sonia welcomes the opportunity.

“I’m a do-er”, she smiles. “I love it, I love helping, I love contributing to something bigger than myself, and if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it 100 percent because I like to be part of things that make a difference, big or small.”

“And if not me, than who? Why shouldn’t it be me who puts my hand up, because I absolutely can – despite my family often questioning where my loyalties lie!”

After many years of Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association’s contribution, topped with the beef industry and local volunteering in her local Charters Towers community, in recent years, Sonia’s generosity has extended through the Rabo Client Council. 

Making a difference through Rabo Client Council

There are five Client Councils across Australia, made up of groups of clients who come together to discuss the needs in their communities, and how the bank can support these needs.

Having been on the Rabo Client Council NQ/NT since its infancy in 2018, Sonia is currently the Chair of the Queensland Client Council and loves what the Rabo Client Council stands for, and what it’s putting back into rural communities.

And while the Rabo Client Council supports national initiatives such as Boys to the Bush, Heart of Australia, Wheen Bee Foundation, Fat Farmers, and Financial Skills Workshops, sometimes the smaller contributions are the most heartwarming.

“Recently we had a Queensland school apply for $875 exactly to hire a bus to take their students to FarmFest Field Day in Toowoomba, and give their high schoolers exposure to ag,” she explains. “They were just so thrilled to receive this funding, they could have asked for more, but that’s all they needed, and for me it rings true – no contribution is too big or too small.”

The Rabo Client Council’s Business Transition & Succession Planning workshop, run nationally, is another initiative she’s rightly proud of, having experienced first-hand succession done well.

Today, Sonia and husband Graham run a Brahman cross Santa Gertrudis beef operation from the Spurdle family’s original holding, “Rangeview Station”, and appreciate the sacrifices made to acquire the picturesque and historic property adorning the Great Dividing Range.
 

Sonia and Graham Spurdle have built a business to be proud of.

“Graham’s parents had to scrounge every cent they had to get a start, they saved like crazy in the 1980s for Rangeview,” Sonia explains. “With five sons, they gradually grew their herd and bought additional blocks in the Mingela district, retaining “Rangeview” as a breeder block.”

And with no wages coming from the property during this growth stage, Sonia smiles that thankfully the Spurdle boys were “handy fellas”, with the two who returned home working tirelessly off-farm mustering for neighbours or building infrastructure for the Burdekin Dam development.

In 2019 when it came time for succession, three brothers were actively working on-farm, with their own children also looking to the future.

And contrary to so many succession stories, Sonia describes the process as “an exciting opportunity”.

“It was a pleasure to sit beside the whole Spurdle family and work out a plan to see the business progress. Everyone knew what they wanted, and I think the fact that the boys had worked so well together for so many years meant they knew how to voice their concerns and work through situations well.”

“Succession allowed every family to go forward, there was no way all the grandkids could come home, so it gave our children direction also.”

A new generation takes the reins

“A hysterically historical person” is how Sonia describes her appreciation for the past, and as such, it was only fitting that Sonia and Graham put their hand up to proceed with the historic “Rangeview Station”.

“I love the mountains and terrain, and am passionate about the heritage behind the property and the homestead, I find it all so intriguing.”

Since taking over “Rangeview”, Graham, Sonia, and their four daughters, Tamieka, 34, Jaimee-Lee, 33, Montana, 25, and Bonnie, 21, have improved and replaced aging on-farm infrastructure such as cattle yards, water pipelines, and laneways, and Sonia laughs that “anything that helps improve everyday life takes the pressure off and saves tempers flaring!” 

With Montana and Bonnie both working on-farm, Tamieka, and Jamie-Lee pursuing careers in Townsville – returning home to help muster and chip in whenever they can – Sonia smiles that it’s lovely to live and breathe the business with their family.
 

Steffie Murray, with Graham and Bonnie Spurdle.

Yet the nuanced challenges of family farming remain, which she says necessitate strong boundaries when your employees are your children.

Reflective of her no-nonsense northern practicality, Sonia laughs that she wishes she could apply those boundaries to the homestead kitchen also.

“There are plenty of houses here on-farm, but everyone still comes to Mummy’s for breakfast and smoko, my house is like their own private grocery store! It’s been tricky kicking them out of the nest, but Graham loves having his little chickens all around him and encourages it, so it’s probably something we’ll never resolve!”

With grandchildren also now on-farm, Sonia’s days remain full, yet community contribution remains a priority regardless.

The rewards of community contribution

Like many women in rural and regional Australia, Sonia has at times felt the overburden of wearing too many caps, and so often it’s the same people contributing tirelessly in rural communities, yet she’s a firm believer that given the chance, the next generation will step up.

“There comes a point where we have to say this is what we’ve done, and now it’s up to you to continue and grow it, otherwise you’ll lose it, and I think the next generation is keen.”

Personally, she says the opportunity to contribute to community has been hugely rewarding, and enabled her to gather a network that she now considers friends.

“I find it so exciting meeting all the different Client Council members,” she explains. “I’m in beef cattle, that’s what I know, and now I’m meeting cane farmers, horticulture and grain producers and I find it all so exciting – I’m like a sponge learning their stories and I’ve already booked myself in for visits to their properties!”

As long-term Rabobank clients, Sonia also appreciates Rabobank’s relationship values.
 

Sonia and Graham Spurdle with their Rabobank manager, Brad Pozzi.

“I love what Rabobank stands for, rather than calling us in to an office to look over a spreadsheet, our manager Brad Pozzi visits us here on farm, sits around our kitchen table with a bickie and a cuppa, and it really sends us the message that they’re passionate about what we do, and what they do.”

Sonia says she’s also “blown away” by the managerial engagement with clients across the whole bank.

“I get on exceptionally well with our whole Townsville team, as well as the Queensland State Manager, Polly Saraiva, and Head of Country Banking, Marcel van Doremaele – there is no hierarchy, and I find it extraordinary that these high level managers are visiting farms and on first-name basis with clients – it’s not just about the dollar, it’s about people, and that’s what we love.”
 

Sonia, with granddaughter Grace, thrives on busy days balancing family, farming and community.