The Federation is the peak representative body for co-operatives in New South Wales.
A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations, through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
Over eighty people attended the 2008 Co-operative Progress conference, from the welcoming cocktails on Wednesday evening to the closure on Friday afternoon. Although the current economic climate, drought and other factors meant the numbers were down on recent years, those attending judged it a successful event. The keynote speaker, Rainer Schluter, CEO of Co-operatives Europe, told us about the current situation in Europe and introduced some excellent ideas into the mix. Many of those present left with very thoughtful faces. It was great to hear real success stories from Europe - and then more of them from around Australia. We often don't realise what good things are happening here, under our noses. There's much to be done, to build on the energy from the conference - including some we already knew we needed to work on (eg. more co-operative education) but others that we can borrow from Europe (eg. setting up incubators to develop new co-operatives and creating a strong mutual voice, instead of diluted sectoral voices).
John Bishton of Country Fresh Supermarkets P/L (Barraba IGA) - previously with Hastings Co-operative and Walgett Special One Co-operative - backed his principles with his money this year, when he offered to sponsor a young person at the conference. We were very pleased to be able to accept his offer which enabled a young lady to attend. And it set us thinking - so we ran a raffle during the conference and raised enough money for a scholarship for another young person to attend the next conference. So thank you, John, for showing the way. And let's see more co-operation like this. We'll only grow a healthy sector by working together.
Quite a lot of great publicity was gained for co-operatives, whilst Rainer was here. An example is the very positive item filmed for the 7.30 Report. Four co-ops feature in the video. This link offers the video and also a transcript. Marvellous to get some positive views into the mainstream media. Link to ABC article.
On Saturday, after the conference, the Co-operative Council of Australia met at the Stamford - and renamed itself Co-operatives Australia. Guests at the meeting were the CEOs of Co-operatives Europe and the New Zealand Co-operatives Association.
On Tuesday November 25 Rainer addressed the Business and Labour History Group at the University of Sydney on Trade Unions and Co-operatives in Europe.
Rainer Schluter and Greg Patmore, Pro Dean, Professor of Business and Labour History,
Economics and Business, University of Sydney
The speaker at the Addisons Gala Dinner on Thursday night, James McCall, currently CEO of Motor Traders' Association of NSW, gave a stirring address fueled by his long experience in the co-operative movement.
James McCall, dinner speaker
Selected 2008 Conference Papers:
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