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31/01/2023
If there’s one way to get to know people, a rugby scrum seems an efficient ice-breaker.
Certainly for Rabobank Roma Rural Manager Renee Donpon, rugby proved a platform to immerse herself in her new community and meet new friends upon first moving to the Queensland town in 2020.
“I didn’t know a soul when I moved to Roma, and I had never played rugby, but Roma has a very strong rugby culture amongst the women and the men, so I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring and I haven’t looked back.”
“Rugby forces you to spend time with people so it’s easy to make friends – you’re seeing each other two or three times a week for training and games, and there’s a unique comradery that comes with being part of a team.”
Her fortuitous decision to join the Roma Echidnas garnered more than just friendships, revealing also an untapped talent and sporting success Renee never expected.
Last year Renee was chosen to represent the State in the Queensland Country Women’s team – no mean feat that required selection into the Darling Downs team, and then the South Queensland team.
The Queensland Country tournament was played late last year, with two girls from the Queensland team selected for the Queensland Reds squad.
“It is great to be able to see rural women having these kind of opportunities and it makes me eager to see what the future holds for women in rugby as the talent and skill is increasing at a rapid rate,” Renee said.
In February Renee will again play for Queensland Country against NSW Country at the ‘Narrabri Santos Festival of Rugby’, where local Roma teams will also play Narrabri before the main game between the Reds and Waratahs.
“I’m really excited to be playing the NSW Country team and helping showcase what country rugby has to offer, rugby was never on my bucket list but it’s opened so many doors and I’m so grateful.”
Growing up in Rockhampton, Renee said she caught the agricultural bug visiting friends' farms on holidays and weekends, fast developing a passion for the cattle industry in particular.
With her sights set on ‘ringing’ in the top end, her first job after completing high school was as a governess at Eidsvold, helping school isolated children on-farm.
On weekends she said she would volunteer on the property to learn the practical skills required to help run a beef operation.
After two years governessing, Renee finally realised her dream of working on a northern cattle station, spending three years working for the Hacon Family across Queensland’s north west.
“It was everything I expected and more, working outdoors with cattle and meeting some amazing people in the meantime – it was an experience I would recommend to everyone.”
From one end of the country to another, Renee went on to complete a Bachelor of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham in Victoria, yet the cattle station continued to provide her with a safe-haven during the covid upheaval.
“When our campus shut down I retreated to the station and was able to continue my studies and work, with very little disruption to the daily routine despite the pandemic – it was a very unique opportunity.”
Upon completing her studies and embarking on a career, Renee continued to look west and happily secured a job as a rural officer with Rabobank.
“I liked that Rabobank gave me the opportunity to work in a rural community like Roma or Cloncurry, and still provide a career pathway full of progression and opportunity.”
“Rabobank was always on my radar, I’m very interested in travel so the fact it is global was very appealing, and I specifically liked that it was an agricultural based bank based on co-operative values.”
“I’m really inspired by the Client Council network and the community intentions behind that, and it’s these values that really set Rabobank apart.”
Undaunted by the prospect of moving to an unfamiliar community, Renee said the fact that Rabobank’s Roma branch consisted of 90 per cent beef clients was a huge drawcard.
“Beef is my passion and I love that I get to work with local graziers to help strengthen their business, and the industry. When I’m out on farm with clients discussing their operation and seeing their cattle in the paddocks it’s such a buzz.”
Renee praised Rabobank’s local staff and clients, who she also credits for making her feel at home in Roma.
“It’s a small community where everyone knows everyone, and as part of the Rabobank team I’ve felt very welcome, almost like family, in fact there’s a culture of support across the whole bank.”
Renee is also a member of the Young Beef Producers Forum committee, a two-day conference providing educational, networking and capacity building opportunities for young aggies with an interest in the beef industry.
The event attracts under 40-year-olds from across Australia, and she said it’s an extremely exciting committee to be a part of, and has been terrific for building her own personal network.
Recently promoted to a rural manager, Renee laughs that her internal battle now is having to sideline her travel aspirations.
“I always thought I’d head overseas after a few years, but I love Roma so much and there’s enormous opportunity in the bank. I have a long way to go in my new role so I’m feeling really inspired and challenged so it definitely feels like I’m here to stay.”