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Newsletter 1 - 11/2001
ACCORD NEWS Spotlight on ACCORDWelcome to the first edition of the electronic newsletter of the Australian Centre for Co-operative Research and Development. ACCORD was started in 1999 as a joint venture of the University of Technology, Sydney, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, and with substantial support from the New South Wales Department of Fair Trading. The Centre researches and fosters co-operative solutions to social and economic problems. This newsletter is designed to highlight our work and other work of relevance to those with an interest in co-operatives, social enterprise, local economic and community development, and rural regeneration. It will be produced every six to eight weeks. We hope that you enjoy reading this first edition and we look forward to your feedback and any suggestions you may have about suitable topics for future editions. Topics of interest may include: innovative co-operatives, or stories highlighting the work of co-operatives in Australia and overseas, and public policy initiatives. Contents of this issue
1. New ACCORD Report on the CreditCare program The CreditCare program was an innovative response to the problem of withdrawal of banking services from rural communities. Initially funded by the Federal Government, it was run by the Credit Union Foundation, and successfully enabled some communities to regain financial service providers. Dr Gary Lewis has completed a major report on this program, its strengths as a development model, and its weaknesses.
2. Maleny - a town regenerates through co-operative formation - 'The legend of Frogs Hollow' ABCTV recently featured Jill Jordan and The Legend of Frogs Hollow in 'Australian Story'. The story told of how Jill, who is no stranger to the co-operative movement, arrived in Maleny in the 1970s, and transformed a Queensland town into Australia's most successful co-operative community. Maleny has 18 co-operatives and a Credit Union, and Jill is credited with being their instigator and driving force. The economic boost to the area has been staggering with the credit union alone injecting over thirty million dollars into the local economy. A paper written by Jill is available from ACCORD for $11.00 (including GST). For details, visit http://www.accord.org.au/pubs/index.html To read more on Maleny, check out the profile. 3. Time is ripe for promoting the co-operative alternative Co-operative approaches have a strong history in countries where sustainable community development efforts are significantly more mature and systematic than those in Australia. As part of a major study, ACCORD's Jo Barraket examined examples that are indicative of the powerful effects of co-operative approaches to community development and suggests that such approaches need to be promoted in Australia. In her article, Building Community: The Co-operative Approach, Jo describes some of the community building and survival strategies that involve a co-operative approach in Australia, which can be read at http://www.accord.org.au/news/accord_news//24.html 4. The Bower - covering your 'R's: reduce, reuse, recycle The Bower is Sydney's first community driven re-use and repair centre. The centre was established in 1998 by inner city residents who wanted to do more to reduce waste in Sydney. The Bower promotes large-scale re-use and repair by providing an alternative to the rubbish tip for re-useable goods and materials. It salvages any item, which has potential for re-use, from the waste stream. In addition, Bower regularly conducts workshops on topics such as: computer upgrade and maintenance, minor electrical repair; simple construction; and creative re-use. The schedule of workshops is available on their website. The Bower has its offices and workshop at the Addison Road Community Centre, Hut 34/142 Addison Road, Marrickville NSW 2204. To read a profile on the Bower click here . 5. Views of inactive members considered in members' schemes of arrangements In a recent case, the NSW Supreme Court considered the rights of inactive members in 'the members' scheme of arrangements under the Co-operatives Act. The decision arose from an application by the Australian Co-operative Foods Ltd (ACF) to consider a members' scheme of arrangement involving the restructuring of ACF. The Court held that it was entitled to hear from inactive members and had the power to require a plebiscite of those members. In determining the overall fairness of the scheme, from the viewpoint of all members, the Court indicated that it would weigh up all the circumstances, giving primary consideration to the result of the ballot of active members. The decision raises some concerns about the effectiveness of the active membership provisions under the act in preserving active member control. To read more go to to the info-brief. 6. Main reason for demutualisation is ideological A recent study commissioned by the Association of European Co-operative and Mutual Insurers, (ACME) concluded that arguments for demutualisation are more strongly based on the ideology rather than hard facts. The study tests the myths about the alleged inferior performance of mutual insurers by analysing financial and economic data from ninety seven insurers and highlights some interesting facts. To find out more read the news item. 7. International Labor Organisation addresses the contemporary role of co-operatives The International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted the report and proposed conclusions of the Committee on the Promotion of Co-operatives, and agreed to discuss the promotion of co-operatives at the next ordinary session of the ILO conference. The Committee recognised the significant political and economic changes that have affected co-operatives worldwide since the adoption of the Co-operatives (Developing Countries) Recommendation (No. 127) by the ILO in 1966. Promotion of co-operatives was also included for discussion at the 89th session of the conference in 1999. Members felt that the development of new universally applicable standards would assist co-operatives to realise their self-help potential, to address a number of socio-economic problems, including unemployment and social exclusion, and allow them to compete more effectively in the global market. A report on the issues is available here 8. Amendments to the Co-operatives Act 1992 The Co-operatives Legislation Amendment Bill 2001 has recently passed through both houses of the NSW Parliament. The Bill, when enacted, will amend the Co-operatives Act 1992 to reflect the core consistent provisions agreed upon by the states and territories. To read more, please go here. 9. ACCORD publications ACCORD has published a series of papers and reports on aspects of co-operatives and the wider social economy. For abstracts and order form visit, www.accord.org.au/pubs/index.html. The Papers are:
Disclaimer & Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this newsletter is intended for the named recipients only and may include privileged and confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy, distribute, or take any action in reliance on it. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in the newsletter is accurate but ACCORD, any of its Directors, staff, agents or associates shall not be liable for loss or any other consequence, which may arise acting or refraining from acting as a result of material contained in this newsletter.
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21 September 2006 11:36 AM
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