The Corowa Business Chamber is thrilled to welcome Nathan Sandral, a dedicated local leader and Agricultural Services Manager at Rivalea, as a valuable addition to their team.
Mr Sandral’s extensive experience in the agricultural and management industry, combined with his passion for community development, is expected to bring a new dimension to the Chamber’s efforts in fostering regional growth and collaboration.
Mr Sandral, a proud fourth-generation local with deep family ties to the area, has a storied history within the region. The Sandral name has been synonymous with Wahgunyah, and Mr Sandral’s commitment to the community is evident in his roles both at work and within the local agricultural landscape.
With an impressive 22-year journey in the pig farming industry, Mr Sandral’s roots in the sector run deep.
His management background and keen eye for innovation led him to join Rivalea as a graduate in research. It wasn’t long before he recognised that his true strengths lay in management, which propelled him through various roles within the company. Notably, he spent about 12 years improving health standards and infrastructure in piggeries, an essential and unique aspect of his career.
Over the years, Mr Sandral’s expertise continued to expand, and he eventually assumed leadership roles, including five years leading the Corowa control team and four years as part of the management team and strategic projects. With the recent acquisition of Rivalea by JBS from QAF, Mr Sanral’s role took an exciting turn. The new ownership’s focus on local investment and quality aligns seamlessly with his own dedication to the community and local development.
Mr Sandral’s blend of infrastructure expertise and enthusiasm for community advancement makes him a perfect fit for the Corowa Business Chamber. His new role comes at an opportune moment, as the Chamber strives to evolve from its Corowa-centric focus to a more regional approach, involving neighbouring towns and villages like Rutherglen and Wahgunyah.
“I feel deeply connected to Corowa and the surrounding region. Professionally, with JBS’s commitment to excellence and local investment, this opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time,” he told the Free Press. “The Chamber has the potential to unite businesses, community groups, and resources, acting as the catalyst for transformative regional development.”
Corowa Business Chamber’s John Crothers expressed excitement over Mr Sandral’s addition and the genuine interest shown by both Mr Sandral and Rivalea in promoting regional success beyond business considerations.
“For us as a chamber, with Leigh Booth making a responsible decision step down given how busy he is in Melbourne, timing was everything,” Mr Crothers said.
“To have Nathan come in under the infrastructure development pillar that we have is very much in line with what he deals with every day, and the broader construct of that. The synergy could not be more perfect.”
Mr Sandral’s analogy of the Chamber as a “cake maker” rings true, as it encapsulates the essence of collaboration and community-building that the Chamber seeks to achieve.
“I see businesses and community groups in the region, and they all work independently,” Mr Sandral said.
“The chamber is all about connection. I use the analogy of making a cake, someone might have the eggs, and another person might have the milk.
“They come to the chamber, tell us what they have, and we can work together to form connections and make things happen.”
“We want to break those silos down, bring people together and help our region grow,” Mr Crothers added.
“The potential in this area is vast and largely untapped. We possess the elements for diverse industries, including agriculture, wineries, and natural attractions. Our role is to steer development, attract young families, and create a sustainable population.
“We envision a region that not only attracts residents but also visitors. Diversity in industry is key to sustainability, and it’s our duty to facilitate that growth.”
The Corowa Business Chamber, with its recent strategic shift toward regional inclusivity, has set its sights on addressing the gap in the 25–35-year-old age group, which is vital for the long-term growth and sustainability of the area.
“We need to look at how we can bring more young people to the area,” Mr Crothers said.
“Just look at the footy club- we need to be part of industries that brings in families. With families we create a sustainable population.”
With a collective desire to expand their reach, the Corowa Business Chamber is prepared to shed its Corowa-centric title.
“Corowa is only part of the equation,” Mr Crothers said.
“If you bring in the wineries, bring what Rutherglen or Wahgunyah has- the collective area- the power of that is what we need.
“We are genuine about dropping Corowa from our name and are interested in what we should be called. We want to bring in business and community to help decide that. What do we want to be identified as for what we have to offer.”
As Mr Sandral aptly puts it, “when we all work together, everyone wins”.