They say you should never go into business with family, but Peter Brown has spent a lifetime proving otherwise. Graduating from Sydney University in the 1960s, with a degree in agricultural science, Peter became a farm management consultant, quickly discovering that before solving on-farm issues, you needed to address family dynamics. 

“Farming isn’t just about soil and livestock,” Peter explains. “It’s about relationships. If the family isn’t working together, the farm won’t either.”

Peter’s cleverest tool was the aerial farm map – a game-changer that got families talking. “When you’ve got a map on the table, you’re not just discussing paddocks, you’re planning your future,” he says. The maps became a way to unite farming families, opening up vital conversations about water, soil, and succession planning in a non-threatening way.

Peter’s career soared globally when he joined Hassall and Associates in 1970, managing $80 million projects across Southeast Asia while training local advisors. Yet, his heart has always been with the farming communities of Australia.

Peter’s work extended to major projects like the Murray-Darling Basin. Over a decade, he supported sustainable water management and helped balance the needs of farmers, the environment, and policymakers. His approach - listening first, listening second and listening until pragmatism prevails and then acting - earned him the trust of communities navigating complex challenges.

In semi-retirement, Peter turned his attention to helping farmers negotiate fair compensation when their land was resumed for infrastructure projects. “I’ve seen too many farmers have their properties undervalued because they relied on hearsay from the pub rather than seek reliable information,” he says. His work ensured families got a fair deal in the face of rapid change.

Now retired in Jamberoo, Peter is a well known local figure. Whether sharing wisdom about the Murray-Darling Basin, family relationships or the value of a good map, his advice remains timeless.  “Retirement is just another chapter. I’m still learning, just at a slower pace,” he grins.