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15/08/2024
What’s the point of a tree change, if you don’t have time to enjoy the lifestyle?
It’s a question that has, at times, nagged Tamworth Rural Manager, Duncan Gidley-Baird since quitting Sydney for the bush.
Yet, now nine years into his Rabobank career, this former city banker is enjoying all the lifestyle, career, and farming perks he once craved.
Duncan, together with wife Jacqui and their three children Erica, 12, Cora, nine, and Connor, six, run a herd of 70 Angus cows, a small flock of Australian White sheep, and five cutting horses on their Dungowan property in the Tamworth region.
His children pick oranges fresh from the tree, and walk to the school bus at the end of the driveway, and Duncan rests easy with his decision to leave the city.
Farm and family life can be balanced with a career at Rabobank, and he believes few organisations facilitate this type of lifestyle juggle like Rabobank.
“As an ag focussed bank Rabobank understands the nuances of farming, for clients and staff. If it means I have to work from home because a load of fertiliser is being delivered, then that would not be a problem, and it’s a flexibility I’m extremely grateful for.”
“It’s also a flexibility I don’t take lightly – if clients or staff need me during my time off, I’m available – and this reflects the whole culture of Rabobank, everyone is passionate and committed to supporting our clients.”
A city kid with his heart in the country
Having lived much of his youth in Sydney, Duncan was a city kid with his heart in the country, spending every holiday on his family’s beef operation between Braidwood and Cooma.
And he admits he was quite the anomaly amongst his high school peers.
“Most people had no idea what ag was – I’d say it’s the same today. I’d take friends to the farm on school holidays, and even then they just wanted to go pig chasing. There was little understanding about farming and agriculture’s place in society.”
A business degree at Orange Agricultural College was followed by a couple of years mining in Western Australia, which provided not only a healthy earning potential, but “a bit of a chance to live life, and grow up a bit – which is important”.
While a passion for ag was his compass, Duncan wasn’t entirely sure what career path to follow – yet upon advice from his father, an accountant, he completed an accounting diploma upon his return to Sydney.
“I spent 13 years in investment banking in Sydney, living in a tiny flat, working longer hours, and feeling like I was part of the rat race,” Duncan reflects. “When our first child was born we knew it was time to head west, and we actively started looking for a farm to buy.”
With his wife a keen competitor on the horse cutting circuit, he laughs that securing their Dungowan property was relatively straight-forward – “I was in Tamworth, bored at a cutting event my wife was competing in, and came across the property advertised for sale!”
The Gidley-Baird family
Duncan initially managed the irrigation property full-time, primarily haymaking, and concedes it was a “tough game”.
“It was a lot of work, and I questioned our tree change in light of the fact we were working harder than ever.”
After seven years haymaking Duncan and Jacqui diversified into improved pastures, with a focus on their Angus herd, and fattening progeny to 500kg.
The decreased intensity also afforded Duncan the opportunity for an off-farm career, and his attention turned to Rabobank.
Keeping it in the family
The Gidley-Baird name is a familiar one within the bank, with Duncan’s brother Angus the RaboResearch Senior Animal Proteins Analyst.
“Having been a career banker I was excited for Angus when he began his career with Rabobank, and just from talking to him over the years that followed I could tell that Rabobank was unique, that there was a genuine culture based around a passion for agriculture.”
When Duncan decided to resume his off-farm career, Rabobank was the only job he applied for.
“I knew if I really wanted to have a complete lifestyle change, I needed to work for an organisation that reflected my own lifestyle values – as a cooperative, Rabo places enormous value on people, relationships and the community, which is a very attractive proposition.”
And he hasn’t been disappointed.
“I’m one of the newer members to the team, and considering I’ve been here nine years now, this speaks volumes.”
“Working in a branch that has longevity, and has built really strong client relationships is rewarding, and with half of the staff running their own farms also, we really do live and breathe agriculture.”
Duncan at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton
With many in the team raising young families, Duncan is grateful for the understanding if he needs to slip out for athletics carnivals or special assemblies, and in regards to his role, he believes there’s nothing greater than supporting his clients to reach their aspirations.
“Whether it’s sitting down with a client and their monthly cash flow budgets and seeing what they want to do next, discussing the latest technology and innovation, or helping them grow through a significant purchase, it’s all exciting.”
“I enjoy getting out on farm, learning about how people operate, what makes them tick, and how I can support their business.”
“Selfishly, I also enjoy learning from them, and what I can apply to my own farm – I am fortunate to see great operators every single day, and gain insights not afforded to most.”
At home in the country
With vegetable gardens and citrus groves, a menagerie of animals and keen contributors to the local community, Duncan and Jacqui have consciously embraced every aspect of country living.
“I want our children to know where their food comes from, to pick fruit from a tree and be responsible for caring for animals,” he explains.
Duncan is proud to be raising his children in the country
Duncan is passionate about sharing his experience with his city friends, and encouraging them to make the tree-change also – and has so far inspired one friend to Orange.
The importance of community is a value he’s also grateful to be sharing with his children.
“Outside of the city I believe there’s a far greater focus on community, which drives connections and a unique sense of purpose.”
“My wife and I are involved in multiple community groups such as the local school P&C, the Rural Fire Service, horse sport committees – our regional towns need volunteers to help them thrive, and it’s very satisfying giving back.”
An industry unites at AgQuip
Duncan will join local industry and producers this month at AgQuip in Gunnedah, one of Australia’s largest primary industry field days.
He believes it’s a terrific opportunity to see some of the latest farm innovations first-hand, and a great showcase of the region.
“Our Rabobank Marquee is situated at the half way point, so it’s a great space to take a break, have a cuppa and catch up with old friends and new.”
Come lunch time, he said it would be standing room only, with the Marquee an annual destination for many.
AqQuip is on Tuesday to Thursday, 20 – 22 August, 2024.