Co-operative Farming: August 2022 news

25 August 2022

Feeding Australia through co-operation

In this month’s podcast, we hear the inspiring story of Queensland’s Lockyer Fruit and Veggie Cooperative which is helping to create an Australian-owned processing facility for locally grown produce. This co-op is designed to allow everyday Australians to support our farmers and contribute to ongoing food security. Michael Cavanagh sat down with Colin Dorber, the driving force behind the co-op and a man committed to the future prosperity of the Lockyer Valley region.

Discover the formation journey of this co-op and learn about its positive impact in the Lockyer Valley. Listen now via our websiteSpotify or Apple, or read more about how a new co-op is helping secure Australia’s food chain.

Next month, we come to you from Australia’s west coast, where we’ll hear how Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative is making waves locally and internationally.

Applications open for Australia’s first co-op development fund

Australian co-operatives and mutuals have lacked the funding support for advisory and business development services that is common-place in other countries. This is no longer the case with the launch of The Bunya FundApplications are now open for the first round and close on Friday, 23 September. The Bunya Fund will support up to five early-stage co-ops or mutuals (or innovative initiatives being developed by more established CMEs) by providing capacity building, education and advisory services. Read the criteria.

Unique industry training on co-op financials and legal structure

Co-operative Financials and Governance Program
The first course of its kind in Australia, this program is designed for co-op managers, secretaries, financial officers, directors and accounting and legal practitioners working with co-ops to learn about the unique characteristics of the financials and legal structure of co-ops to help run the business and raise funds. You will gain insights into financial reporting for co-operatives, co-operative capital raising instruments, and learn more about the legislation and tax settings governing co-operatives. This online webinar meets the criteria for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Accountants and Legal Practitioners. This course will take place from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (AEDT) on 20, 25 and 27 October and is open for registrations.

Co-op farming sector news

Successful round one recipients for ‘Small grants for flood-impacted communities’ announced​​​​

In the room at the Advanced Manufacturing skills forum

Co-operative and mutual sector says NSW flood inquiry recommendations a step in the right direction

Co-operatives have their say as NSW Parliament’s Select Committee Flood Inquiry releases final report

Australian co-op apex launches country’s first development fund for the sector

What Albanese’s job summit can learn from co-op successes (paywall)

Fiji becomes first Pacific nation to recognise waste pickers as the world’s invisible environmentalists fight to be seen

Upskill your team in 2022 with BCCM courses

An Introduction to Co-operatives and Mutuals
Our two-hour online induction training helps people working in the sector to understand more about the unique role and contribution of co-operatives and mutuals. Give your staff a strong understanding of our unique sector by sending them to our next course on 13 September.

Watch the extract of the interview with Lynne McLennan from UFS Dispensaries Ltd. from last month’s course. In September Antony McMullen will chat with Darlene Mattiske‑Wood, CEO, Australian Military Bank.

We’re here to help

If you have questions or would like more information or support to planstart or run a co-op, please get in touch with the Co-operative Farming team.

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