Long-standing advocate of the Queensland agribusiness industry Rod Kelly will retire after an illustrious career supporting regional and rural Australia.
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Mr Kelly, a 40-year veteran of Westpac, and currently state manager of Agribusiness for Queensland, began his banking career as a branch office assistant at Warwick when he joined Westpac’s predecessor, the Bank of New South Wales, in March 1975.
He rose through the ranks, taking on a variety of roles that served both the bank and state in senior representative positions.
As well as running a business that has stretched from Cape York to Warwick, Mr Kelly has played a major part in helping Queensland to recover from a series of major disasters, including cyclones Larry and Yasi and the devastating floods of 2011 and 2013.
Outside of Westpac, Mr Kelly has sat on a state ministerial committee, is a member of the executive committee of the Queensland Rural Press Club, a board member of Safe Streets, a Queensland charitable organisation, and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program.
Mr Kelly will be taking long service leave in October, before formally retiring in March on his 40th anniversary of joining the bank.
But Mr Kelly will not be lost to Westpac and the community, as he has agreed to return as a Westpac Agribusiness Ambassador next year.
“This is a time of mixed emotions for me,” Mr Kelly said.
“Obviously I’m sad to be retiring from a job I have loved and enjoyed for many decades, one that holds a huge number of wonderful memories.
‘‘But at the same time I see this is a new beginning where I can spend more time with my family and on my own farm, both of which will keep me well and truly occupied in my retirement.
“I’m also excited and delighted that I will be able to continue my links with Westpac, its superb people, fantastic customers and an industry that has contributed so much to the state of Queensland and Australia as a whole.
“I believe the industry and the many communities that it supports and serves has a bright future ahead of it and I’m looking forward to doing my bit as a Westpac ambassador to ensure that it grows in a sustainable way for the long term.”
Alastair Welsh, Westpac’s general manager of commercial banking, paid tribute to Mr Kelly for his many years of dedicated service.
“Rod’s support as a community leader for regional Australia and advancing the lives of rural Australians has made a great difference to them and Westpac,” Mr Welsh said.
“His track record is extraordinary, particularly in his efforts to rebuild Queensland, together with his team, after the devastating 2011 and subsequent floods in 2013, as well as cyclones Larry and Yasi.
“Rod continues to be constantly sought out for his advice both within and outside of Westpac.
‘‘His banking knowledge and experience combined with his kind and practical approach has led him to forge links between our business, customers, industry and government, and as an ambassador he will continue to do this.
“He is and will remain a wonderful representative for Westpac in the community and an exceptional role model.”
Mr Welsh announced that Mr Kelly would be replaced by Peta Ward, who becomes regional general manager Agribusiness in Queensland, reporting to Steve Hannan, general manager, agribusiness.
A graduate of the University of Queensland who began her banking career in Toowoomba, Ms Ward has worked for Westpac for seven years and is head of commercial and agribusiness in Gippsland and Sunraysia.
She takes on her new role in October.
