Primary producers in southern Western Australia have the opportunity to develop skills to assist with family farm succession and business transition at complimentary information sessions.
Hosted by the Western Australia Rabo Client Council, the practical Business Transition and Succession Planning information sessions will be held in Esperance, Corrigin and Cunderdin in late March.
This initiative has been led and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank, through its Rabo Client Councils, groups of innovative, forward-thinking farming 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 into account differing family goals.
Limited to 30 participants each and not restricted to the bank’s clients, the sessions will be delivered by director of Transition Partners, Jim Benson.
Rabobank state manager for Western Australia Steve Kelly said the sessions were created to help farming families plan for passing their agricultural businesses from one generation to the next, by focussing on “communication skills to assist with conversations about business change and succession planning”.
“With informed decision-making and transparent communication, families can develop strategies that uphold the fundamental principles of the family farm while securing its long-term prosperity,” he said. “A successful farm business transition encompasses more than legal and financial considerations.”
The session content includes guidance on how to start the conversation about business succession, Mr Kelly 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,” he said.
Kulin West-based grain producers Sharon and Tim Barndon attended one of the Business Transition and Succession Planning sessions the bank held in WA in 2025.
Mrs Barndon said the workshop provided “extremely valuable information” for their family.
“We attended the workshop held in Narrogin last year with our son and daughter-in-law. We felt it was important for us to attend together, so we were all learning at the same time,” she said.
“While we had started talking about succession within our business, we knew we needed more information on the steps to take. The workshop provided clarity – it really filled in a lot of gaps for us.”
Mrs Barndon’s daughter-in-law, Dani Barndon said one of the key learnings from the workshop was the importance of engaging external expertise to help in developing an appropriate plan. “The workshop set out a process that we can now follow,” she said.
Williams-based grain and livestock producer Hal Klug also attended the Rabobank workshop held in Narrogin last year.
“My wife and I attended the session with our three sons,” Mr Klug said. “The biggest learnings for our family were to start discussions early, keep talking and formalise any meetings – writing down the outcomes.
“We appreciated the workshop facilitator was able to share case studies throughout the day, with examples of how other farming families had approached situations.”
Mr Kelly said the sessions provide couples and families with an opportunity for collaborative learning and a chance to participate in group educational activities.
“Initiating planning at an early stage is important for facilitating a smooth business transition. Early succession planning can help minimise potential conflicts that could occur due to differing expectations if the process is delayed,” he said.
Since launching the business transition and succession planning information session program in 2024, the Rabo Client Councils have delivered 30 sessions across the country – to date providing family farm succession and business transition skills and tools to over 730 participants.
“These sessions aim to provide producers with resources to create continuity plans that support the continued operation of their businesses for future generations. They also have broader impacts by contributing to rural and regional communities and enhancing the resilience of the agricultural sector and local economy,” Mr Kelly 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.”
Mr Kelly 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:
- Tuesday, 24 March 2026 – 8.00am – 2.00pm (Esperance)
- Thursday, 26 March 2026 – 8.00am – 2.00pm (Corrigin)
- Friday, 27 March 2026 – 8.00am – 2.00pm (Cunderdin)
To register to participate, visit the Rabobank website or click Succession Sessions: Business Transition & Succession Planning
Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
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*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.
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About us:
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.