Heart of Country Australia: Footy, Farming & Community | Troy Armstrong

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we head to the Yarra Junction Football Netball Club in Victoria's Yarra Valley to chat with Troy Armstrong, founder of Larapinta Private, club president, and lifelong country footballer. We even catch up with a few of Troy's teammates to hear what they really think of him as both a player and club president. Troy shares his journey from growing up in the Yarra Valley to spending nearly two decades advising high-net-worth families before founding Larapinta Private to provide specialised wealth management for Australia's farming, pastoral, and regional families. We discuss the unique financial challenges facing farming families, including succession planning, seasonal cash flow, illiquid assets, and building wealth beyond the farm. Troy explains why understanding agriculture is essential to providing meaningful financial advice and why "boring is beautiful" when it comes to long-term investing. We also explore the biggest intergenerational wealth transfer Australian agriculture has ever seen, the growing interest in farmland from institutional investors, and the tough decisions families face when the next generation chooses a different path. Along the way, we talk country footy, community, volunteering, local pubs, and why Troy chose to raise his family in the region he proudly calls home. Whether you're a farmer, investor, adviser, or simply passionate about regional Australia, this episode offers an insightful conversation about farming, family, finance, and the communities that keep country Australia thriving. 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Troy Armstrong's Football Journey 05:10 120 Years of the Yarra Junction Eagles 10:38 Why Country Footy Builds Strong Communities 15:42 The Secret to a Great Club Canteen 19:08 Playing at Box Hill & Premiership Memories 22:35 Why Troy Started Larapinta Private 28:14 Helping Farming Families Build Wealth 34:21 The Biggest Financial Challenges Facing Farmers 41:12 Why "Boring" Investing Wins 46:48 The Biggest Wealth Transfer in Australian Agriculture 54:15 Farming Families, Succession & Institutional Capital 59:46 Adventures Across Australia's Farming Regions 1:05:20 The Northern Territory, Fishing & Crocodiles 1:10:12 Hidden Gems of the Yarra Valley 1:15:03 Country Pubs, Wineries & Local Life 1:20:08 Why Local Sporting Clubs Matter 1:24:36 Final Thoughts