Marie Van Blommestein has built her life around community, connection and the opportunities that regional living provides. She works as a Chartered Accountant and Director with RSM Australia in Katanning. Away from work, she lives with her husband and their ten year old son on a farm south of Broomehill that keeps her grounded and connected to what matters most. She often says, “You can build a powerful professional career without giving up the beauty and community of regional life,” a sentiment that captures her outlook.
Marie’s story begins near Cape Town in South Africa, where she grew up surrounded by cultural diversity and strong community values that taught her resilience, adaptability and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Those early lessons carried into adulthood and continue to guide the way she shows up in her work and community today.
Outside the office she is most often found running long distances, playing tennis, involved in local sporting clubs or supporting her son’s school activities. She describes herself as someone who loves people, thrives on helping others and is committed to continual learning in every part of her life.
That commitment shines through in her career at RSM, which spans sixteen years and places her alongside high wealth families, farming enterprises and regional businesses. Much of her work centres on taxation, accounting, business restructuring, succession planning and guiding families through intergenerational change. Marie approaches every client relationship knowing that the work extends far beyond numbers.
“Behind every set of financials is a family, a legacy, or a dream,” she says, and that belief shapes everything she does. In regional practice, she has become part adviser, part teacher, part trusted constant. “You become part of their story, and that is a responsibility I value deeply.”
Her role has evolved over the years, and leadership now plays a central part in her day to day work. She collaborates with teams across regional WA, supporting emerging leaders and helping women in rural practice build confidence in spaces where the challenges can be unique. Her approach is grounded in clarity, communication and genuine care, and she places people at the centre of every decision. “People first, always,” she says simply.
While her Bachelor of Commerce and Chartered Accountant designation laid the technical foundation for her work, Marie knows that expertise alone is not enough. The skills she relies on most are communication, strategic thinking and the ability to turn complexity into clarity. Lifelong learning remains a priority. “To serve others well, you must first invest in improving yourself,” she says, a belief she embodies through continual research, reading and professional development.
The values shaped in her South African childhood continue to influence how she navigates her career. The cultural richness, the resilience woven into everyday life and the emphasis on community have blended seamlessly with her life in regional WA. Here, she sees the real time impact of her work and the privilege of contributing to family businesses, farms and local enterprises that hold generational meaning. “You see the impact of your advice every single day,” she says, and that clarity is one of the reasons she loves regional practice.
For Marie, the heart of her work lies in helping people make confident decisions about their future. Whether guiding a family through succession, navigating a complex restructure or mentoring a young accountant, she finds purpose in the relationships and the problem solving that define her days. “Every day brings the chance to make a meaningful difference,” she says, and it is that sense of impact that keeps her energised.
When asked what she would say to someone considering a similar path, Marie offers encouragement anchored in her own journey. “Believe that your potential is limitless, no matter where you come from or where you choose to live.” She encourages women in regional WA to stay curious, seek mentors who lift them up, ask questions, take opportunities and trust their own capability. Most importantly, she wants women to know they do not need to choose between opportunity and lifestyle.
“You can build a fulfilling, impactful career while enjoying the richness of community and the beauty of regional life,” she says. “Your roots may be rural, but your potential is limitless.”