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10/10/2022
Managing crops, nurturing soil, producing food and fibre – agriculture enjoys a universal language that transcends continents and cultures.
For Gavin Kruger and his family, agriculture was a path to unlocking a new life in Australia.
Gavin left his South African homeland, career and extended family in 2002, destined for Queensland – attracted, he said, to the Aussies’ similar way of life, similar sense of humour, and “union in our opposition of New Zealand in the rugby!”
His ability to step directly into an industry as globally unique as agriculture was very helpful.
Jovial and passionate, today Gavin is an area manager in Rabobank’s North Queensland and Northern Territory region, yet his easy demeanour belies his brave journey.
In his quest to provide his wife and three children with opportunity to live in a safer environment, the family arrived in Australia with “no bank account, no license, no vehicle, no house, some furniture and very little money” – having to start from absolute scratch.
“We used almost everything we had getting here, and spent the first four weeks squeezed into a two bedroom motel room while we found our feet.”
Growing up in South Africa on his grandparents’ dairy, beef and sheep farm, and later on his parents’ sugarcane and dairy operation, agriculture had always been a way of life.
After high school and two years of national service conscription in the army, he attended ag college, before embarking on management with two large corporate agricultural businesses, consisting of a sugar operation, lychee and citrus farms.
“The last company I worked for had farms on the river that bordered the Kruger National Park so it was a spectacular place to live and work, we’d take sunset drives along the river to watch the elephants, lions and buffalo, we lived like that for five years and it was really very special.”
At the same time Gavin also worked at an industry level through an extension service helping support new farmers to adapt, and after further studies completed his thesis, which focussed on land reform.
While he had little to his name arriving in Australia, Gavin was confident these agricultural credentials would help pave his way.
“Australia enjoys a similar agricultural landscape to South Africa, and as I was relying heavily on my agricultural background to make a new start, the Burdekin region south of Townsville – with its rich diversity of production – seemed like a safe bet.”
Gavin gained his first job in Australia at the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, yet a fateful visit to a bank financial planner set his career on an unexpected route.
“I’d made an appointment basically asking for help, it was quite overwhelming beginning afresh in a new country, but it was during this meeting that my financial adviser suggested that with my background I should apply for a role with a bank.”
Again, starting from scratch, Gavin took a junior role as an agribusiness analyst with a large bank, where he worked and progressed in his career for 15 years across the Northern Territory and North Queensland.
During these years he admits recruitment agencies contacted him – and his response remained firm – “unless you have a job with Rabobank, I’m not interested.”
Gavin said he had long admired the culture of Rabobank – within both its people and clients – and its genuine approach to agriculture and the community.
Eventually, the recruitment agency suggested Gavin have a coffee with Rabobank’s Regional Manager Trent McIndoe and Head Of Relationship Management Chris Adams – which proved a fortuitous move, resulting in Gavin securing the role of branch manager in Ingham.
Now nearly five years with Rabobank, Gavin is back in his adopted home town of Atherton Far North Queensland, as an area manager, helping support staff across North Queensland and the Northern Territory – from Atherton, Ingham, Cloncurry and Darwin.
“Throughout my rural banking career I’ve travelled in many of the northern regions, so I know the landscape relatively well,” he said. “I also know many of the unique demands on a rural manager, and teams working across the north, it’s a job that requires hours and hours on the road.”
“Having been in those roles myself, I understand the workload. As a people leader, my role now is to support staff and ensure they have the time they need, so they can best service their clients, communities, and their personal lives.”
Reflecting on his past 20 years in Australia, having forged a meaningful career and lifestyle from scratch, Gavin reflects that the sacrifices were well worth it.
“I love my team, it’s a privilege to work amongst such great people, all passionate about agriculture and clients. I also love the fact I live in the countryside, I’m a small town boy at heart and I love the lifestyle.”
However the greatest outcome from his move to Australia has been without a doubt the opportunities he’s been able to provide his children.
Now adults with their heritage masked by Australian accents, Gavin views his success through their journey. The freedoms his family now enjoy are sobering in perspective.
“When my daughter embarked on her university degree, she and her boyfriend decided to drive from Atherton to Melbourne. They were fully loaded in their little car and I remember thinking my only concern for them now is that they might have a road accident,” he reflects.
“Obviously a car accident is a big concern, but it was a relief that it was my only concern for them.”
Similarly, he said the fact that a large demographic of the population have the freedom and relative security to travel in a van around Australia without fear, was something not to be taken for granted.
He also applauded Australian farmers on their innovation and work ethic.
“There is a lot of on-farm labour and managerial help in South Africa, whereas in Australia our farmers do it all – they own the land, manage the land, work the land and innovate, and they do it all incredibly well.”
“Australian farmers produce high quality food and fibre, at scale, with very small teams compared to South Africa, they innovate by choice and necessity,” he said. “I’m always impressed working with our northern farmers, and it’s a pleasure and a privilege to do so.”