09/09/2025
Primary producers in the Brisbane Valley have the opportunity to develop skills to assist with family farm succession and business transition at complimentary information sessions.
Hosted by the Southern Queensland Rabo Client Council, the practical Business Transition and Succession Planning information session will be held in Esk in early October.
The initiative has been led and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Client Councils, a group of innovative, forward-thinking clients who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and support a range of activities designed to make a meaningful impact on the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia.
The interactive session – which is free of charge – offers practical information, such as why family and business communication can be difficult and how to improve it, what makes a meeting work and how to take account of differing family goals.
The information session – which will be limited to 30 participants and is not restricted to the bank’s clients – will be presented by content and facilitator partner, Transition Partners director Jim Benson.
Rabobank's state manager for Queensland Polly Saraiva said the session encourages proactive planning by farming families as they prepare for generational transitions within their agricultural businesses.
Ms Saraiva said the Rabobank session “aimed to help develop effective communication skills necessary to support farming families as they navigate the complexities of business change and succession”.
“With access to information and transparent communication, families are better equipped to formulate plans and strategies that uphold the fundamental values of the family farm and promote its long-term sustainability,” she said. “A successful transition of a farm business extends beyond merely addressing legal and financial considerations.”
The session content includes guidance on how to start the conversation about business succession, Ms Saraiva said. “During this session, participants will delve into key aspects of organising their initial meeting to discuss next steps in management, business, property and wealth transition. Additionally, practical tools will be offered to aid in the planning process, assist in settling family and business conflicts and address family-related issues,” she said.
Ms Saraiva said initiating early planning helped support a smooth business transition. “Starting succession planning early may help avoid conflicts resulting from differing individual expectations if the process and discussions are postponed,” she said.
Mr Saraiva said the information sessions were designed to provide a supportive setting for couples and families to learn together.
Since launching the program in 2024, the Rabo Client Councils have delivered 25 sessions across the country – to date providing family farm succession and business transition skills and tools to 650 participants.
The Rabo Client Council network is focussed on developing meaningful grassroots initiatives to support key themes focusing on building industry capacity, championing rural wellbeing, sustainability and strengthening the rural-urban connection.
Ms Saraiva said the Business Transition and Succession Planning information sessions were designed to provide primary producers with practical resources to assist them in their planning efforts.
“The sessions equip producers with resources to formulate transition plans designed to promote the long-term stability of family farming enterprises,” she said. “Additionally, these efforts positively influence rural and regional communities and economies by enhancing the resilience of the local agricultural sector.
“If you’re interested in attending a session, keen to meet other progressive farming families and develop new skills, confirm your place before the sessions are fully allocated.”.
Information session details:
- Wednesday, 8 October 2025 – 8.30am – 2.00pm (Esk)
To register to participate, visit the Rabobank website or click Succession Sessions: Business Transition & Succession Planning
Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
*Disclaimer: These information sessions are for information purposes only. Its contents will be general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Rabobank Australia Limited ABN 50 001 621 129 AFSL 234700 and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (Australia Branch) ABN 70003917655 AFSL 238446 (collectively referred to as, ‘Rabobank Australia’) recommends attendees seek independent professional advice, consider relevant disclosure documents and terms and conditions for our financial products (all available at www.rabobank.com.au, Rabobank branches or by calling 1300 30 30 33) before making any decisions related in any way to the contents of this information session.
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the international Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has more than 125 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of more than nine million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 87 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Media Contacts:
Denise Shaw
Head of Media Relations
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 02 8115 2744 or 0439 603 525
Email: denise.shaw@rabobank.com
Will Banks
Media Relations Manager
Rabobank Australia
Phone: 0418 216 103
Email: will.banks@rabobank.com