Rural & Agriculture
23 March, 2026
AFL’s Rodey Eade has a yarn at Nutrien Ag Solutions
NUTRIEN Ag Solutions welcomed clients and their families last week for a client appreciation night, bringing the local farming community together for an evening of connection, conversation and reflection with AFL great Rodney Eade.
Around 45 people attended the event, which gave growers and local families the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day pressures of farm life and enjoy a social evening.
Nutrien Ag Solution’s Duncan Thomas said the event was about more than business, offering a chance to give back to the community. “They are members of our community, we are members of their community, so (we) take off the business hat and put on the social hat, it’s a way to give back to the community in one way, shape or form,” he said. “It was not a bad little effort for those to come off farm and have a great night.”
The night featured a fireside chat, with David Preston interviewing former AFL player and coach Rodney Eade, who spoke about his upbringing in Tasmania, his journey into the AFL system and the lessons he learned through the highs and lows of coaching and football.
Mr Thomas said Mr Eade’s message about the importance of teamwork strongly resonated with those in attendance. “We had a bit of a fireside chat where David Preston interviewed Rodney Eade and he was just going through some of the challenges and experiences that he had in growing up in Tasmania and moving into the AFL system and then also the challenges and experiences and wins and losses he had as a coach,” he said.
“One of the poignant points that he made towards the end was that for any player to be successful, there is always a team behind them.”
Mr Thomas said that idea could be easily applied to the farming sector. “That’s where you could see our growers, the farming community, being the player, and the likes of the banker, a lawyer and Nutrien are there to help them perform in what they do best,” he said.
He said the event had become a highlight of the year for the local branch. “We actually really like doing this for our customers. It is one of the joys this time of the year, to have a bit of a relaxing moment off farm and just sort of talk about wins and losses of the season,” he said.
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