Meet Our Farming Staff

We not only walk the walk, but also talk the talk.

	Farming is in Andrew Hedt's bloodline.  Although his day-job is as a Rural Finance Regional Agribusiness Manager, it's his love of farming that really inspires him.  A fourth generation grain farmer from Kalkee, Andrew has strong recollections of growing up playing on the tractor and getting amongst it all on the farm.  Now a father to his own brood, Andrew relishes watching his children doing pretty much the same as he did - and watching out for the next rain.
	Cameron Fullager earned his stripes working in the wool industry for 20 years before joining Rural Finance as an Agribusiness Lender.  With his wife Louise, who comes from a third generation woolgrowing background, Cameron produces both wool and lamb on their property in the Violet Town district.  Parents of three children, the Fullager's love their rural lifestyle, and hope to pass this connection to the land down the family line.
	Geoff Blyth considers himself a fortunate man, being able to balance his life between his beef property in Mount Duneed and his position as General Manager Risk and Compliance with Rural Finance.  Living in a rural environment has not only allowed him to continue the 150 year family history of farming in the district, but also provided the perfect environment in which to raise a family and stay in touch with the issues that affect the agricultural sector.
	According to Kirsty Birch, Administration Officer at the Shepparton office, life on the farm not only provides her three children with plenty of space in which to run around, but also teaches them about real working life and some of the lessons that go with it.  Originally Kirsty was raised on an organic beef farm, but was converted to sheep and crop farming by her third generation farming husband, Warren, whose passion for fine wool knows no bounds.
	Beef has been in Lew Officer's family since his grandfather, a stock and station agent, set the family destiny for livestock grazing.  Today, as well as being Senior Manager Lending with Rural Finance, Lew's allegiance to the agricultural industry is demonstrated through his beef property at Woolsthorpe, in Victoria's south west, where he primes steers for feedlots and over the hooks sales.
	For Senior Agribusiness Lender, Mark Hodge, the simple things in life are often the best - a juicy steak and a glass of red.  A fifth generation farmer, Mark's greatest pleasure comes from working outdoors on his property that's split between growing steers and Shiraz grapes.  However, it's not just the produce that lures Mark to this lifestyle; it's also the other farmers and business associates with whom he builds solid working relationships.
	A fourth generation mixed farmer, Rebecca Cullen was born with farming in her bones.  After working in the office as the Rural Finance Marketing Manager each day, there is little she loves more than returning to the wide open space of the cropping and livestock farm she shares with her husband, their two kelpies Red and Ralph; along with their frisky labrador Jazz, whose antics are always cause for laughter.
	Raised as a third generation beef farmer and educated at Marcus Oldham Farm Management College, few could question Richard Oram's farming credentials.  A Rural Finance Senior Agribusiness Lender, Richard has a great love for the land and currently runs beef cattle on his property at Ardmona.  As well as being a great personal love, he says that the farm keeps him in touch with many of the issues, both good and bad, that often face his clients.
	A rural all-rounder, Bruce Dwerryhouse knows a thing or two about the land.  Over the years he's done it all from beef, sheep and crop farming to rural counselling.  Currently he divides his time between his day job as Rural Finance Senior Agribusiness Lender at the Albury/Wodonga office, and his beef breeders, Dohne ewes and cereal crop.  Respected for his sound farming knowledge, Bruce is a recognisable face throughout North East Victoria and the Riverina.
	With four generations of farming behind him, there is little Senior Agribusiness Lender Jason Robinson doesn't know about lamb and crops.  A fervent supporter of no-till farming, Jason is passionate about sustainable farming practices and in addition to his role at Rural Finance Horsham he is also treasurer of the Victorian No-Till Farmers Association.  After all these years Jason still takes pleasure from getting back to the farm and watching things grow.

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