As we near the end of another whirlwind year, it’s a chance to reflect, reset, and recharge. The festive season brings its own flurry of busyness, but before we all step into some well-deserved downtime, I wanted to bring you a conversation packed with insight and inspiration to help you wrap up 2024 with purpose and head into 2025 with clarity. 

Today’s conversation is one of those deep dives into leadership, resilience, and navigating the complexities of life—whether that’s on the farm, in the boardroom, or out on the footy field.  

 Joining me is Cameron Schwab, a man who, at just 24, stepped into the CEO role of an elite AFL club, and over the years has learned not only what leadership demands of us but how it shapes us.  

 Cameron is the real deal—a thinker, a mentor, and someone who’s walked the path of success, failure, and reinvention. Now founder and CEO of designCEO, Cameron leverages his extensive leadership experience in professional sport and business to mentor and support CEOs, senior and emerging leaders, and their organisations across various industry sectors. You can find more information about Cameron and his offerings on his website here.  

 In this episode, we unpack what it takes to show up as a leader when the pressure’s on, how to navigate those “what am I doing here?” moments, and why the quiet, reflective times when no one’s watching might just be the most important moments of all.  

 Cameron’s insights, from his experiences in elite sports to his work now coaching leaders across business and community, are so relatable and deeply impactful. 

 We explore what it means to create the right conditions for people to thrive, how to reframe your story when it’s holding you back, and why leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up with courage, humility, and a deep sense of purpose.  

 I hope you enjoy as we dive into this thoughtful and inspiring conversation.  

 Cameron, thank you for sharing your wisdom, heart, and valuable practical tools that we can all takeaway.  

Sincerely,  

Hutch  

P.S  

Often, the journey of personal development can be misunderstood or even dismissed- many might view it as unnecessary or even indulgent. As we explore in this episode, it is not about ‘fixing’ yourself or chasing perfection… it’s about choosing who you want to become, letting go of old stories, and moving towards a more authentic, abundant version of yourself.  

In this episode, I am delighted to once again speak with Tracy Secombe, our Director of Wellbeing at Farm Owners Academy, and someone who helps our community open-up to and embrace conversations about personal development and mindset.  

In challenging times and an ever-changing world, for mine, this shift is more important than ever. 

Tracy and I explore how to reframe challenges, embrace emotions without judgment, and navigate the highs and lows of personal growth. 

Tracy shared a perspective that I’d describe as seeing life through a glass-half-full lens: “There’s plenty more where that came from.” It’s a simple yet powerful phrase, and when you really reflect on it, it represents a mindset shift—from focusing on scarcity and limitations to embracing abundance and possibility. 

We unpack how to manage emotional triggers, find clarity during tough times, and step into a mindset of growth and abundance—even when the world feels heavy. Tracy’s take on shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance is not just inspiring; it’s transformative. 

I hope this conversation will leave you with fresh perspectives and valuable tools to take into your own life and business.  

So grab a cuppa, take a moment for yourself, and settle in for a heartfelt conversation that’s sure to challenge and inspire.  

Let’s dive in. 

Hutch and the FOA Team 

I have heard it said that “doing a traditional thing in a traditional industry may no longer be relevant.”

I have also heard it said that the point of entrepreneurship is to “create a legacy”…. that is to create something that makes an impact of significance in the market, that will last beyond your life-time.

Certainly there are great examples of individuals and teams out there daring enough to be highly entrepreneurial, deeply strategic and very innovative in finding ways to ‘get it done’.

For mine, Liam Leneghan and his GO.Farm Story presents an outstanding example of this, in modern day Australian Agriculture.

Just over 10 years ago, GO.Farm Australia was simply an idea in the mind of a very credible and progressive Australian Agriculturalist.

Today, GO.FARM’s vision for transforming Australian agriculture has driven the development and management of $1.2B worth of agricultural assets, including 96,000ha of farmland producing high-value crops such as almonds, mandarins, tomatoes, winegrapes, grains, pulses and oilseeds.

With a strong focus on innovation through a Responsible Agriculture lens, GO.FARM’s investment strategies deliver a positive impact for its environments and local communities, while generating significant wealth for its investors.

From an idea, combined with a deep determination to transform Australian farmland… GO.Farm is now a growing team of over 250 people, committed to this vision.

It is a truly compelling story, that I feel we can all learn from. Through this I am reminded of the benefits of being unconventional; that leadership starts with making informed and risk-aware predictions about the future; that business ownership is about being courageous and dertermined; of the power of having conviction; of learning from mistakes and ‘going again’; of the value in making unreasonable request of people with influence; of the importance of a commitment to our own learning and growth; and the importance of surrounding yourself in high-calibre people on this journey we all play in business.

Some individuals are simply truly pioneering and daring to make an impact.

Liam, I commend you on your courage, deep conviction and your modern-day pioneering. I hope our conversation pays some tribute to your impressive career, and the successes of GO.Farm and your team.

Congratulations mate.

Hutch & the FOA Team

In this episode, I speak with Tim McGavin, Founder and Managing Director of Laguna Bay, one of the largest privately owned agricultural investment funds globally. 

Reflecting on his farming background and extensive career, we explore life growing up on a station west of Barcaldine, QLD alongside his ‘bushy’ father and family. We explore Tim’s early years through school, his journey into agriculture and the intriguing and unique pathway he has taken to achieve significant success within our industry. 

Our conversation touches on the pivotal role of Marcus Oldham in shaping the next generation of Australian agricultural leaders. We explore its innovative approach to education, its extensive Alumni network and its influential impact on the industry. 

Importantly, we speak of Marcus Minds, a new initiative developed to help farm owners learn the key principles of high performance. This collaboration between Laguna Bay and Marcus Oldham draws upon the expertise of leading specialists and focuses on helping people overcome personal challenges, pursuing mindset mastery, pathways for self-development, a higher quality of life and building resilience. 

Much like the personal development and entrepreneurial principles taught at Farm Owners Academy, Marcus Minds is bringing an important new way of thinking and leading into our industry.  

Tim and I both acknowledge that farming can be a lonely and challenging environment in which to live and operate. Yet, we agree that to achieve the highest level, we must first master the mind. 

To quote Tim, “I’ve learnt that if you get the inside right, the outside falls into place.” 

Marcus Minds is a free resource available to all, and I recommend checking it out. 

Congratulations Tim, on your pioneering of this project and congratulations on a fascinating career. Thank you for sharing your story and insights for success in this conversation so openly.  

And thank you for helping us highlight the great work of both Marcus Minds and Marcus Oldham Agricultural College in supporting excellence in Australian agriculture. 

And what a story it is. 

Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team  

As always, it is great to speak with Terry Tran and get an update on what is happening across our economy and the global investment landscape.

We all have a role to play in inspiring our next generation of farmers – now there is a compelling program and pathway to make this happen.

‘Farm Systems’ or ‘Grower Groups’ play a pivotal part in our farming landscape. 

It’s incredible seeing the results members of our Platinum Mastermind are achieving, their commitment to the program and the progression of their business and personal development.

FOA Alumni Members David (Diesel) & Rhianne Low, make a great example of this.

Commencing the program in July 2017, Diesel & Rhianne have become valued members and real contributors to our growing community. Starting as a mixed farm struggling for profitability, the operation was completely dependent on them, with Diesel typically working 80 hours per week. It is fair to say that they have completely transformed their business and lives.

Benchmarking and the support of our Analytics Team helped them decide to focus on ONE enterprise to achieve more focus and scale.

Forecasting and Decision Support Tools have allowed them to set down a financial roadmap that provides them more confidence in the resilience and performance of their business model for years to come.

Their 2 Page Strategic Plan helps them remain aligned and focused together as they prioritise business improvement through structured annual and quarterly meetings.

Having a Business Coach dedicated to their success has helped them navigate some challenging business and personal times, and consistently held them accountable for the implementation of their plan and toward their compelling goals.

FOA’s Personal Development Training has helped them together move from a mindset of blame, lack and hardship to one of positivity, abundance and gratitude.

The Business Development Training has supported them to set down structures, systems and professional disciplines that drive on-farm efficiency, and support an on-farm team that helps them get it done and enjoy more balance, fun and freedom in their lives.

Last, but certainly not least, the friendships and the community they are now part of is a highlight of their 7-year journey with FOA.

The FOA Team are delighted to welcome Rhianne Low into our Team as an Accountability Coach. We also highly value Diesel’s contribution as a mentor to others in the program.

Diesel & Rhianne, thank you for your positivity and for being such dedicated members of the FOA Alumni & Community. And thank you for sharing your story and FOA journey with us.

Simply, incredible.

Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

In this episode, I am delighted to introduce to you Zoe Lamont, owner of Farm Door Riverina, a growing regional food business providing ready-made, wholesome meals to busy families, retirees and the elderly across Australia.

Growing up on a farm near Junee, Zoe has deep ties to the land and a vision for bringing high-quality, wholesome, locally sourced food to families across Australia.

Zoe shares her journey from farm life to buying and then building a highly successful business, with her husband Frank, that not only supports local producers but also brings the best of what we grow directly to people's tables. We explore:

• The origins of Farm Door Riverina

A team now of over 30 providing over 3,000 meals per day, Zoe & Frank’s story is a powerful reminder of how good quality food can change lives and bring happiness and wellness to households across Australia. 

It is also a reminder to us all to stay true to our values, even when the chips are down, and put integrity and a commitment to quality at the forefront of everything we do.

If you are looking to provide farm produce more directly to the consumer or explore new ways to diversify your farm's income, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger about the impact you can have.

More information about Frank, Zoe and the Farm Door story can be found here: https://farmdoor.com.au/pages/our-story

Thank you, Frank, Zoe and your team for all you do. I appreciate you sharing your story.

Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team