Robbie McKenzie is the Founder and CEO of REALM Group Australia, where he has pioneered innovative solutions in agriculture and property development. With a commitment to enhancing communities and a vision for growth, Robbie has led the company to become a leader in its field, leveraging his extensive experience and entrepreneurial spirit to drive success and sustainability in the industry.
Revolutionizing the Agricultural Marketplace with Innovative Technology
Robbie’s leadership at REALM Group Australia has driven the development of a groundbreaking platform tailored for farmers. As CEO, he oversees a system that gives users full control over their listings, allowing them to sell through multiple channels directly from their mobile devices.
“REALM Group Australia is built by farmers for farmers,” Robbie explains. The platform uniquely offers the choice of three auction platforms or a ‘For Sales’ Platform, with seamless integration across five social media channels. “Our system is the only one that offers this level of choice,” he adds.
Ease of use is a priority, with features like voice activation and automated services that handle everything from listing to invoicing. Once a sale is made, the system automatically generates invoices and receipts, simplifying bookkeeping for users.
This innovative approach streamlines the sales process and eliminates the need for manual record-keeping, embodying REALM Group’s commitment to making farming operations more efficient.
From Humble Beginnings to Community-Driven Success
Robbie’s journey from a young boy thrust into responsibility to a pioneering CEO is one marked by resilience and a commitment to his community. After his father passed away when Robbie was just eight years old, he quickly became the man of the house, helping his mother and three sisters navigate life’s challenges. “That’s where it all started for me,” Robbie recalls. “I had to think on my feet and figure out how to get things done efficiently and cost-effectively.”
Without the advantages of wealth or generational inheritance, Robbie built his future from the ground up. By the age of 20, he purchased his first dairy farm with a $1,000 deposit, convincing Peter Shephard, then the Bank Manager at the State Bank of Victoria, to take a chance on him. “I like your spunk,” Shephard told Robbie. “No promises, but I’ll submit it and see how we go.” Despite numerous rejections from other banks, Robbie’s determination paid off, and the loan was approved.
The early years were tough, with floods, droughts, and high interest rates threatening to derail his efforts. Robbie worked three jobs—driving milk tankers at night, hay contracting in the summer, and working as a security guard in the winter—while building his engineering company, Australian Stainless Steel. “We soldiered on,” he says, and 13 years later, Robbie had paid off his farm and house in New South Wales.
Throughout his career, Robbie has remained committed to giving back. “We’ve always supported Ronald McDonald House, The Royal Flying Doctors, Youth Off The Streets, Aussie Hay Runners, Riding for the Disabled, and BlazeAid,” he notes. His dedication to the community is reflected in every project REALM Group Australia undertakes, with Robbie and his team consistently being the first to offer help when their communities are in need.
Driving Agricultural Innovation and Growth with Visionary Leadership
Robbie’s leadership has been pivotal in the growth of REALM Group Australia. His innovative approach revolutionized the agricultural industry, beginning in the late 1980s when he became the first in Australia to sell livestock online. “My vision was fourfold: it had to be more efficient, deliver a better product to the consumer, reduce stress on animals, and secure better prices for farmers,” he explains.
Despite challenges, including farmers’ limited access to computers, Robbie’s determination led to the launch of Computer-Aided Livestock Marketing (CALM), now Auctions Plus, and the invention of Multi-Vendor Online Machinery Auctions, a standard in the industry today.
Reflecting on his early days, Robbie recalls traveling 109,000 kilometers in nine months to convince skeptical farmers of the future of online sales. His persistence paid off, resulting in the widespread adoption of online livestock sales, with tens of thousands of cattle and sheep sold daily on Auctions Plus.
As CEO, Robbie embodies a “Let’s do it” philosophy, tackling challenges head-on and valuing strong relationships with a skilled team. Despite his busy schedule, he prioritizes professional growth, earning certifications in welding, business, marketing, and real estate, while pursuing an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning.
Overcoming Challenges to Foster Community Growth
Under Robbie’s leadership, REALM Group Australia remains committed to creating developments that genuinely enhance communities. His approach to business is marked by a relentless drive, discipline, and determination. “Everything I do needs to be effective and efficient,” Robbie says, reflecting his focus on achieving results that align with the company’s vision.
Running multiple businesses simultaneously, Robbie thrives on challenges and finds motivation in proving skeptics wrong. “All my life, I’ve been told ‘you can’t do that’ or ‘that won’t work,’ but the word ‘can’t’ is not in my vocabulary,” he asserts. His ability to strategize and innovate has allowed him to overcome roadblocks, ensuring that every project he undertakes is not only successful but also beneficial to the communities involved.
Embracing Emerging Technologies to Revolutionize Property Development
Robbie envisions emerging technologies playing a pivotal role in the future of property development, particularly within the agricultural sector. REALM Group Australia is already positioned to lead this transformation, having designed its platform to streamline marketing for all agricultural pursuits.
“We’ve made it possible for farmers and agricultural companies to engage directly with Australia’s farming community,” Robbie explains. Unlike typical social media platforms that often generate unproductive inquiries, REALM Group Australia’s platform connects real people with genuine opportunities, backed by outstanding customer service and one of the largest Australia wide farmer databases in the country.
Robbie has long been an advocate for integrating advanced technologies into agriculture, including drones, robotics, electrification, automation, and autonomous equipment. “It’s great to see these technologies grow, and I’m looking forward to becoming more involved,” he says, signaling REALM Group Australia’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in the agricultural / property development.
Empowering Communities Through Corporate Social Responsibility
REALM Group Australia has woven corporate social responsibility (CSR) into its business model, creating a tangible impact on the communities it serves. Robbie expanded the company’s services to include real estate and machinery sales in response to his clients’ needs. “My livestock clients would ask me to keep an eye out for properties on the market,” he recalls, leading him to become a licensed real estate agent to help clients buy and sell rural properties.
This customer-centric approach not only broadened REALM Group Australia’s offerings but also empowered farmers to grow their farm portfolios, much like Robbie did in the 1980s. His dedication to serving the agricultural community extends beyond transactions, reflecting a commitment to fostering growth and stability within these communities he has also engaged with many international property – and Machinery buyers buyers over the years and still dos to this day.
Guiding Future Leaders in Community-Focused Agricultural Property Development
For young professionals aspiring to lead in the agricultural property development industry, especially in creating community-focused projects, Robbie offers clear advice: align yourself with a successful company that has a wealth of experience. “Surround yourself with a great team and build lifelong relationships,” he emphasizes, noting the importance of a strong support system in navigating the complexities of the industry.
Robbie also encourages becoming an affiliate, a role that allows aspiring developers or farmers to engage in the business without leaving home. “This is a great business model for up-and-coming young farmers or anyone wanting to enter the field,” he says.
REALM Group Australia’s approach of running all transactions through an audited Trust Account not only ensures financial transparency but also simplifies year-end processes. “It’s extremely efficient and a huge cost saver, as a bookkeeper is not required,” Robbie adds, highlighting the practical benefits of this model for those starting in the industry.
Celebrating Groundbreaking Innovations and Achievements
Robbie takes pride in several pioneering initiatives that have shaped the agricultural and property development landscapes in Australia. He was the first in the country to sell cattle and sheep online, and he later expanded this innovation to machinery and property sales. “I also invented the Multi-Vendor Machinery Auctions we see used by all to this day,” he notes, underscoring the significance of his contributions to the industry.
Another milestone is his groundbreaking work with Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) for property purchases, both domestically and offshore. “I approached the Australian Tax Office (ATO) with a plan, and they initially told me it couldn’t be done,” Robbie recalls. Undeterred, he persisted and developed a proposal that ultimately received approval from the ATO. His efforts led to the widespread acceptance of SMSFs for property investment, a practice that is now standard. “To this day, I still have the document they signed off on,” he adds, reflecting on the impact of his initiative Robbie was also the first to use self managed super funds for off shore persuts.
Additionally, Robbie built Australia’s first true caterpillar rope shovel, a massive machine classified as a giant excavator with a 120-ton bucket. He recalls being told it would take 12 months to complete the project, but his team delivered it in just over six months, setting a record for the most product moved in 24 hours—an achievement that stood for years. “Our machines held that record for some time,” he proudly states, highlighting the significance of this engineering feat in the industry.
Looking ahead, Robbie prioritizes the expansion of REALM Group Australia into the U.S. / Canadian markets in 2025. With years of experience traveling to and from the United States, he has a deep understanding of the market. He recalls assisting a friend in growing an auction business from $12 million to approximately $56 million over six years, which has since reached around $80 million in recent years.
Robbie has developed REALM’s business model to suit the U.S. / Canadian agricultural industry, stating, “We have a slightly different business model to suit the U.S. / Canadian market.” With this strategic move, he anticipates “exciting times ahead” for REALM Group Australia as it ventures into new territories noting that he has been asked many times to expand in to the USA / Canadian markets and feels now is the right time with his drive and a team already in place in the usa 2025 is looking GREAT.
Shaping the Future of Agricultural Property Development in the APAC Region
Robbie envisions a promising future for property agricultural development in the APAC region, with REALM Group Australia playing a pivotal role. The company boasts a dedicated team, comprised mainly of current or former farmers, providing valuable insights into the agricultural landscape. “We have a great team and representation in all states of Australia,” he notes, highlighting the strength of their network.
REALM Group Australia has introduced a new system for affiliates that allows farmers to supplement their income with minimal overhead. Robbie emphasizes, “All they need is a mobile phone and a laptop or tablet.” He expressed a desire for such opportunities during his younger days, envisioning the potential for individuals to run their businesses with the tools they already possess.
Reflecting on the legacy he hopes to leave, Robbie underscores the 35 years of hard work, dedication, and loyalty that have shaped REALM Group Australia. The company has successfully navigated the livestock, real estate, and machinery sectors, selling over 5,000 investment properties in six years during the late 90s and early 2000s and untold amounts of sheep / cattle / Fodder / Fertilizer and Machinery Australia wide.
“Nothing is impossible,” Robbie asserts, attributing his success to passion and vision. He urges others to “unleash those ideas and ‘Let’s Do It!'” as REALM Group Australia prepares to expand further into the U.S./ Canadian markets.
Celebrating Personal Accomplishments and Global Recognition
In addition to his professional achievements, Robbie has also made significant strides in his personal pursuits. He founded the largest privately funded and most successful motocross team in Australia, the Greenwich Yamaha Racing Team. His involvement in motorsports eventually led him to become the Team Manager for Subaru Rally Team Australia, where he celebrated an impressive streak of eight consecutive national championships. Notably, during their debut on the world stage, the team secured a commendable second place.
Robbie’s entrepreneurial journey has also garnered international recognition, including interviews on live radio in the U.S. by then-Congresswoman Dina Titus. This exposure opened doors for him to present proposals to the U.S. Congress, including two invitations to Capitol Hill from long-serving Congressman Senator Harry Reid. Additionally, he was honored to be invited to Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s home, to collaborated with like-minded business leaders to brainstorm innovative marketing ideas for the future.
Conclusion
Robbie McKenzie’s journey as the Founder and CEO of REALM Group Australia exemplifies the power of innovation, resilience, and community focus in driving industry transformation. His dedication to enhancing agricultural practices and property development has not only shaped the future of his company but has also made a lasting impact on the communities it serves.
As Robbie continues to explore new opportunities and expand REALM Group Australia’s reach, his passion for creating sustainable solutions and empowering others remains at the forefront of his mission, inspiring future leaders in the Agricultural and property development industry.
