Born and raised on a property East of the Rabbit Fence in Western Australia eastern wheatbelt to a wheat and sheep farming family.
Educated at Mukinbudin Primary, Merredin High Schools and Cunderdin Agricultural college and the wonderful world of Hard Knocks.
Successfully operated and grew the Mukinbudin property but after two successive droughts in 1976 and 77 arrived at a view that other options may be better for his family and selected in 1983 Condamine in the Western Downs of Queensland to try his hand.
After 30 years of successfully farming and raising a family was hit with 2010, a year with double the average rainfall of 50 inches, much falling on a standing crop which together with a corporate take over of Landmark finance by ANZ left the family business unable to carry on.
Has spent a lifetime advocating for Farmers in an endeavor to have the best public policy outcomes for the people of the bush.
“Given that government has washed its hands of industry policy farmers are left with no choice but take their future into their own hands and understand that when droughts or floods or frost come, no government will step up, so its up to you to understand that the risk is all yours and you can take the risk or sell it to the income protection people, thus we begin a new era of commercializing agricultural risk in our nation.”
The options available can transform agriculture making farm business stable and improve economic and social prospects. As farmers and dependent businesses recognize the possibilities and learn how to use the new systems, we should see not only farm business but also dependent communities flourish. This marks a new era in agricultural business, like auto steer and minimal till systems, will take just a few years to mature.
The directors of Farmers First know that farmers are better of with their incomes protected and we see our role as guiding you to the best product available.
About Rowell Walton
Rodney Hamilton
Director Farmers First Australia I was instrumental in the formation of the Company to facilitate the expansion of Agricultural Income Protection Insurance (AIPI) for farmers in Australia. I was born on the Darling Downs into a farming family. After being educated on the Downs and Toowaoomba I moved to Condamine on the Western Downs. It
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John Francis
I’ve worked in the Grain Industry since leaving UNE (University of New England, Armidale NSW) in 1982. I graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Rural Science and a post-grad Diploma in Financial Management. I also completed a Diploma in Export Practices while working for Riverina Stockfeeds in Brisbane. My experience at Riverina ranged from Sales
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Rod Pullinger
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS Fellow Australian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters J.P. (C.dec) International Association of Arson Investigators LOSS ADJUSTING EXPERIENCE Extensive experience in claims investigations and quantification of losses arising from a wide variety of industries. These services have been provided to a significant range of clients since 1974 including the following: Insurance
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