07/08/2025
Primary producers in central western Queensland and the central highlands have the opportunity to develop skills to assist with family farm succession and business transition at complimentary information sessions.
Hosted by the Northern Queensland Rabo Client Council, the practical Business Transition and Succession Planning information sessions will be held in Longreach and Emerald in mid September.
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 sessions – which are free of charge – offer 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 sessions – which will be limited to 30 participants each and are not restricted to the bank’s clients – will be presented by content and facilitator partner, Transition Partners director Jim Benson.
Rabo Client Council member and Aramac-based beef producer Lee-Ann Boyd said the sessions were designed to support farming families in planning for generational transition within their agricultural businesses.
Ms Boyd said the Rabobank sessions aim to “grow communication skills to help farming families in managing business change and succession”.
“Open communication and access to information can help families create strategies that support their property’s core values and ensure long-term sustainability,” she said. “A smooth farm business transition involves more than just considering the legal and financial matters.”
The session content includes guidance on how to start the conversation about business succession, Ms Boyd said. “During the 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 Boyd said beginning to plan early is important for supporting smooth business transition. “Starting succession planning early can reduce the likelihood of conflicts that may arise from differing individual expectations if the process is delayed,” she said.
Ms Boyd said the session offers couples and families a space for shared learning, while giving producers a break from daily on-property activities to engage in group education.
Rabobank deputy regional manager Craig Burkhardt said 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.
Since launching the business transition and succession planning information session program in 2024, the Rabo Client Councils have delivered 19 sessions across the country – to date providing family farm succession and business transition skills and tools to almost 516 participants.
Mr Burkhardt said the Business Transition and Succession Planning information sessions are designed to provide primary producers with practical tools and resources to support their success.
“These sessions offer producers tools to develop continuity plans aimed at supporting the ongoing operation of their enterprises for future generations. In addition, the effects extend beyond individual businesses by contributing to rural and regional communities and strengthening the resilience of the local agricultural sector and economy,” he said.
Mr Burkhardt called on producers who are interested in attending a session, keen to meet other progressive farming families and develop new skills, to confirm their place before the sessions are fully allocated.
Information session details:
- Monday, 15 September 2025 – 8.30am – 2.00pm (Longreach)
- Wednesday, 17 September 2025 – 8.30am – 2.00pm (Emerald)
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