About
Please use the links below to navigate through information about Co-operatives WA.
History
Co-operatives WA is the registered business name of The Co-operative Federation of Western Australia (Inc).
The Co-operative Federation of Western Australia (Inc) was formed in October 1919, following a conference earlier in that year attended by 200 delegates from some 65 localised co-operatives spawned across rural WA on the back of the 1914 formation of Westralian Farmers Co‐operative Limited in Kellerberrin in the state’s eastern wheatbelt.
Formed to support the development of co-operatives without taking away local management and control, the Federation unified the co-operative sector and to this very day, through its peak body structure and role, has represented the interests of the Western Australian co-operative sector.
Co-operatives WA is the go to state peak body for Co-operatives Act 2009 (WA) and Co‑operatives National Law matters.
Click here to read Let Our Co-operative Spirit Stand – A centenary history of resilience and adaption in the Co‑operative Federation of Western Australia 1919 – 2019.
Click here for Foreword to centenary history by the Hon Robert S French AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia 2008-2017.
Click here to view a short clip of the 2019 Centenary Dinner and book launch.
1953 Co-op Federation annual conference_Walter Harper standing, TH Bath to his left_in Sandford 1955 p299
Before bulk handling_lumpers on Fremantle docks 1920s
Co-op Bulk Handling Silos Geraldton c1997_CFWA
Donkey team moving Gwalia Co-op Store 1910
Enjoying sunnywest butter_SW Co-op Dairy Products Ltd 1934
Geraldton Fishermens Co-op Marine Store_c1996_CFWA
Gnowangerup Co-op Store1920s_CFWA
Gnowangerup Old Co-op Store 1965_CFWA
Midland Guildford Coop Advt, Swan Express 17 Jan 1952, SLWA
New cfredit unions Redicard teller 1984_SLWA_363313PD_1
Pressing curds into moulds_SW Co-op Dairy Farmers Ltd Harvey 1953_SLWA_010973PD
Quairading Co-op Store c1997_CFWA
Structure and Rules
The Co-operative Federation of Western Australia (Inc) is registered under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 of the State of Western Australia.
The Federation was formed in 1919 and is governed by a Member elected Council of Members (board) with each Council Member nominating a person to hold the position of Councillor (director).
Co-operatives WA has been the Federation’s registered business name since early 2009.
To qualify for Membership of the Federation you must be a body corporate domiciled in Western Australia with a charter (Constitution) and operating ethos (Service to Members) based on co operative principles.
Click here for Rules of Co-operatives WA.
Council of Members
Capricorn Society Ltd
Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd
Galactic Co-op WA Ltd
Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-op Ltd
Mt Barker Co-operative Ltd
The Pack Music Co-op Ltd
WA Meat Marketing Co-op Ltd
York & District Co-op Ltd
Nominee
David Fraser
Ken Seymour (Chairman)
Kate Biondo
Michael May (Deputy Chairman)
Lyn Slade
Melanie Bainbridge
Bill O’Keeffe
Mia Monger
Council of Members
Capricorn Society Ltd
Nominee: David Fraser
Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd
Nominee: Ken Seymour (Chairman)
Galactic Co-op WA Ltd
Nominee: Kate Biondo
Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-op Ltd
Nominee: Michael May (Deputy Chairman)
Mt Barker Co-operative Ltd
Nominee: Lyn Slade
The Pack Music Co-op Ltd
Nominee: Melanie Bainbridge
WA Meat Marketing Co-op Ltd
Nominee: Bill O’Keefe
York & District Co-op Ltd
Nominee: Mia Monger
Vision and Purpose
Vision
To be recognised as a centre of excellence and an authority on co-operatives as a business model.
Purpose
- To represent the interest of Members at state and national level.
- To promote the co-operative advantage through community education and awareness of the core values of the co-operative business model.
- To promote the co-operative sector’s ongoing significant economic and social contribution to the state of Western Australia.
- To provide guidance on the formation of co-operative entities – focusing on member ownership, control and relevance; member participation and sustainability.
- To assistance with drafting bespoke fit for purpose rules and navigating the regulatory pathway to incorporation.
- To deliver director and executive education and training on the management and governance of co‑operative entities.
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