Ross Grillo has been the heart and soul of Hanwood-based Rinaland Farm since his father passed him the reins to the property at just 17 years old. A fourth-generation family-run business, the Grillos’ success comes from the most humble of beginnings when a then three-year-old Ross sailed to Australia from Italy with his family. Not speaking a word of English and with little money, Ross watched his parents, Domenico and Maria, pour everything into the farm.
Grown with care from Rinaland Farm
2:28 min read
Maria Grillo from Rinaland Farm
Ross still fondly recalls the first Woolworths buyers they partnered with 60 years ago. “Mr Bill Cullen,” he smiles. “He bought everything I had. He was a real gentleman who used to visit every three weeks and come over for coffee.”
Treasured memories are woven into every corner of the NSW Rinaland property. Ross’ daughter and Rinaland quality manager, Annette Grillo, recalls riding on the back of her grandfather’s horse-drawn trailer and spending school holidays fruit picking.
Ross, now 87, remembers long, summer days working on the land alongside wife Mary, now 84.
As Woolworths marks 100 years, our relationship with the Grillos remains a treasured one and the family says they are proud to be supplying their high-quality oranges, grown with care, for customers across the country.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Ross’ son-in-law Gary Snaidero, Rinaland’s sales manager. “Woolies makes us feel special,” he says. “Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today. We're proud as anything to be able to say we supply to them.”
The Grillo family
And no matter where the family travels to in Australia, they’ll make a beeline to the nearest Woolworths to check out their delicious oranges. “We can’t help it,” laughs Annette. “We get a real buzz seeing our stock in store, it’s a big deal to us.”
Creating strong bonds is at the heart of Rinaland, where the farm’s staff – 40 in the packing shed and 12 on the farm – feel like an extension of the family. It’s a core value Ross’ mother Maria embedded into the farm’s DNA from the start, and remains strong today. Giving back to their local community through hampers, food donations and sponsoring local charities is also important to the Grillo family. “Ross knew how difficult it could be to get a meal on the table, so he's big on helping people out and giving them a go,” says Gary.
While you won’t find Ross working on the land anymore, he knows the future of Rinaland and their ongoing relationship with Woolworths is looking bright. He has high hopes that his grandchildren, and hopefully great-grandkids, will carry on his legacy, so the next generation of Aussies can experience their incredible produce.
