AS 2019 draws to an end, it also marks a series of senior staff movements and appointments in the rural property transaction space across eastern Australia.

Here’s a summary of what’s in store for who:

Inglis Rural Property team expands

Inglis Rural Property has appointed Adrienne Harvey to its marketing and transactions team.

Commonly referred to as ‘Boo’, she will service Southern New South Wales, the Central West, Victoria and the Riverina.

Boo has held several senior roles with JBS Australia (Prime City Feedlot, Tabbita), National Australia Bank in Western Australia, along with various Thoroughbred racing industry roles.

A licenced stock and station agent, Boo has practical farming experience from her involvement with her family’s farming business at Gunbar in the Riverina.

She has strong knowledge of irrigated cropping, beef cattle and sheep operations.

The appointment of Ms Harvey follows a busy 2019 spring program for Inglis Rural Property including the sales of Gilgal (Cootamundra), Mount Falcon (Corryong), Dunns Plains (Bathurst), Talland and Wirralie (Wagga Wagga) which are either now settled or under contract.

Ben Forrest branches out

Brisbane-based Ben Forrest has left Colliers International and will set up his own agency specialising in agribusiness property transactions early in the New Year.

Mr Forrest joined Colliers four years ago and earlier this year was promoted to Queensland leader of the Colliers International Agribusiness Transactions team.

Prior to that, he worked with Rabobank lending finance to the agribusiness sector and at Ray White Rural Longreach.

Up until three years ago, his family had been grazing country at Ilfracombe in Western Queensland for five generations.

Once established, Mr Forrest hopes to expand over time into other property classes.

This year, he has been involved in a number of big-ticket rural transactions including

• 26,626ha Hereward, Longreach $9.3m
• 3909ha Billabalong, Rolleston $19.3m
• 1252ha Mount Colliery, Killarney $10.25m

Daniel McCulloch Agencies

Tamworth agent Daniel McCulloch has launched his own agency after working at Ruralco Property Davidson Cameron for more than 14 years.

Mr McCulloch was a partner and shareholder at Ruralco before deciding to venture out on his own.

He is well known for his auctioneering capabilities. In 2007, he was named Australian Young Auctioneer of the Year. In 2016, he was awarded NSW Business Chamber Young Executive of the Year.

Mr McCulloch has set up McCulloch Agencies with offices in both Tamworth and Sydney.

“I am trying to connect metro investment to regional opportunity – in other words, bring city money to the bush,” he said. His focus is primarily on rural property and livestock, residential real estate and property management in northern NSW.

Clayton Smith joins JLL

Rural property specialist Clayton Smith has joined JLL’s growing national agribusiness team in Brisbane.

The former Elders Goondiwindi agent has more than 20 years’ experience, notching up more than 250 transactions during his career across southern Queensland and northern NSW.

His notable deals include the sale of Queensland properties Kindon Station and Undabri Station, which he sold twice.

Mr Smith grew up on Queensland’s Western Downs and managed family farming enterprises. He is also an industry leader in irrigation water marketing and has conducted regular water auctions and off-market sales.

Clayton Smith will be working with directors Geoff Warriner and Chris Holgar who joined JLL in February 2019 as the firm expanded its agribusiness services platform to include property transactions and to boost its geographical reach.

CBRE appoints high profile rural executive to chairmanship

Renowned rural executive John McKillop was appointed earlier this year by CBRE to chair its Pacific Agribusiness group.

Mr McKillop has held a series of senior executive roles in the Australian agribusiness sector and most recently served as CEO of Hassad Australia, owner of 17 rural properties across the country.

He has also served as CEO of the Sustainable Agriculture Fund, managing director of Clyde Agriculture and was a senior executive at Stanbroke Pastoral Company.

His non-executive roles have included Meat & Livestock Australia, Dairy Australia, Cubbie Cotton, Harvey Beef and the Primary Industries Education Foundation.

CBRE Agribusiness regional director Danny Thomas said the appointment would help drive the continued growth of the firm’s agribusiness platform, which comprises over 50 sales and valuation professionals.

“We are fortunate to have secured the services of an executive of John’s calibre who has vast sector experience across broad geographies and commodities.”

“John can assist us in delivering even better outcomes for our clients and will also play an important role in mentoring the up-and-coming agribusiness professionals in our team,” Mr Thomas said.

RWR donates to Drought Angels

Ray White Rural has donated $100,000 to Drought Angels which will help support farming families in need in the lead up to Christmas.

Drought Angels is a small charity based in Chinchilla which is helping around 4500 primary producer families Australia-wide.

RWR chairman Paul White said the money was not a handout, but a thank you to farmers for all they do to put the food on our tables.

Founder Tash Johnston said the donation would be used to give 1000 farming families a $100 pre-paid Visa card.