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.
