Rabobank brings farm financial skills workshops to Western District

Western District primary producers have the opportunity to expand their knowledge, free of charge, at practical financial skills workshops designed to help provide farmers with an understanding of their gross margin analysis and cash flow budgets.

Hosted by the Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Council, the Financial Skills Workshops – which are open to all farmers, not just Rabobank clients – will be held in Warrnambool on Thursday, September 3 and Hamilton on Friday, September 4.

The complimentary, interactive ‘Measuring Financial Performance’ workshop in Warrnambool provides hands-on guidance on understanding financial statements and banking requirements and explores topics such as taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’s financial profile.

While the ‘Gross Margin Analysis & Cash Flow Budgeting’ workshop in Hamilton – also complimentary – focuses on gross margin analysis and the cash flow implications of a variety of enterprise choices.

Limited to 30 participants each, the workshops will be delivered by director of Hudson Facilitation, Tony Hudson.

The Financial Skills Workshops – which provide farmers the opportunity to upskill and network – are led and funded around Australia and New Zealand by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank, through its Rabo Client Councils. Groups of innovative, forward-thinking Rabobank farming clients who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, the Councils support a range of initiatives designed to make a meaningful impact on the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia.

Rabobank state manager for Victoria and Tasmania Sally Bull 

Rabobank state manager for Victoria and Tasmania Sally Bull said the upcoming Warrnambool and Hamilton workshops aimed to help equip farmers with the financial skills and tools needed to help manage increasingly complex agricultural operations.

She said the workshops are tailored for farm owners and managers to strengthen their understanding of their business’s financial management requirements.

“Even experienced farmers may not always know how to interpret financial statements or calculate business gross margins, or they may simply want to sharpen their financial analysis skills,” she said.

Ms Bull encouraged couples and families to attend together so they could build a shared understanding of financial reporting. “The sessions give farming families time away from the day-to-day demands of their businesses to strengthen their financial skills,” she said. 

Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Council member and Konongwootong-based livestock producer Mark Bunge 

Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Council member and Konongwootong-based livestock producer Mark Bunge said since the launch of the Financial Skills Workshops in 2018, the Rabo Client Councils have extended this valuable learning opportunity to over 5,400 farmers.

Mr Bunge said the Rabo Client Council network was focused on meaningful grassroots initiatives that build industry capacity, champion rural wellbeing and strengthen the rural-urban connection.

“Building long-term industry capacity and supporting agricultural education are key priorities for the Rabo Client Councils,” he said. “Through education, we aim to strengthen the industry’s reputation and build its current and future workforce.”

Mr Bunge said the workshops in Warrnambool and Hamilton offer an important development opportunity for Western District farmers.

Rabo Client Council member and Larpent-based dairy farmer Alistair Harris 

Fellow Rabo Client Council member and Larpent-based dairy farmer Alistair Harris said strong financial skills were of significant importance for successful farming businesses.

“Farmers are already making complex business decisions every day, and having a clear understanding of the numbers behind those decisions is increasingly important,” Mr Harris said. “Whether it’s assessing enterprise performance, planning cash flow or preparing for conversations with banks and advisers, sound financial skills give farmers greater confidence and control over their business.

“These workshops are practical and hands-on, with information farmers can take home and apply directly to their own operations. They are also a valuable opportunity to step away from the day-to-day running of the farm, ask questions and build confidence in using financial information to support better business decisions.”

Mr Harris said the Warrnambool and Hamilton workshops would be particularly relevant for Western District farmers operating in a challenging and changeable business environment.

“The Western District is home to highly-skilled and progressive farmers, but every farming business benefits from regularly reviewing its financial performance,” he said. “I’d encourage producers from across the region to register, bring along their questions and make the most of the opportunity to strengthen skills that are key to long-term business resilience.”

Workshop details:

• Measuring Financial Performance: Thursday, September 3, 2026 – 8.30am to 3.30pm (Warrnambool)
• Gross Margin Analysis & Cash Flow Budgeting: Friday, September 4, 2026 – 8.30am to 3.30pm (Hamilton)

To register to participate, please visit the Rabobank Australia website, or click here.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Please contact rabocommunity@rabobank.com for any queries about the workshop.

*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 35 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.