'Co-operation is a powerful force,' according to ACCORD Research Fellow, Dr Jo Barraket who spoke at the recent ACCORD seminar in Bathurst on 11 April. At a time when banks are again deserting the bush, the seminar titled, Co-operarative initiatives to strengthen regional communities generated strong media and community interest. Delegates heard about what the government is doing to help regional and country Australia and how people can help themselves by sharing creative ideas, knowledge and expertise not only to survive but to re -invigorate their own communities.

Dr Jo Barraket at the Seminar

The seminar was attended by community, business and government representatives, academics, co-operative researchers and others interested in the wider social economy. Speakers were: ACCORD Associate and Co-operative Historian, Dr Gary Lewis; David Hill, Premiers Department, Office of Regional Communities; Jon Robinson, Registry of Cooperatives, Dept of Fair Trading; and Ray Hynes, Economic Development Officer, Murrurundi Shire Council and bio-dynamic farmer.

Seminar participants

Regional radio and television coverage in the lead-up to, and on the day of the seminar was excellent. In interviews on Bathurst 2BS, Star FM (which goes to 17 radio stations) and ABC Western Plains 2CR. Highlights of the seminar were broadcast across Western NSW on Prime and Win TV channels on the evening news on 11 April.

ACCORD's Co-Director, Kay Plummer spoke about co-operative initiatives that improve the social economy. One such initiative was the Credit Care program which was developed to assist rural communities re-establish financial services. Another initiative is NetCo-op, a workers co-operative which acts as an internet service provider and supports a range of business development networks and resources. Initiatives such as theses can offer a viable alternative to communities when government and private enterprise withdraw or reduce their services.

Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt University Professor Ian Goulter in his opening address had this to say: 'Australia is a very metrocentric society. There seems to be a perception that great activity of any form, be it business, education and culture, can only occur in our large cities. This is not the case with the rest of the world and to show that this need not be the case in Australia, CSU has regional engagement; working with and for the regions in which we are based, as a key strategic objective. '

Vice Chancellor Ian Goulter opening the Seminar

The work showcased by ACCORD in this seminar is an active example of our regional engagement and the work we are doing in our communities. ACCORD also exemplifies the collaborative nature of much of the research at CSU, where we are working alongside staff from the University of Technology, Sydney and with State, local government and community based organisations and business.

Presenters at the Seminar

To download the powerpoint file containing the presentations, please click here. File size = 935KB.