The Co-operatives Futures and Choices Conference, held at the Mercure Hotel in Sydney, ran over the 10th and 11th of June with an early registration and welcome drinks on the evening of the 9th.

Delegates were invited by the Co-operative Federation of NSW to a full program of presentations from representatives of large and small co-operatives, research centres, legal firms, insurance companies, consultants and interstate co operative federations.

The attendance list exceeded 100 and delegates came from a variety of co-operatives including the Wine Society, Dairy Farmers, Crossroads Medieval Village, Bankstown Community Services Co operative and Taxi co ops. The NSW Registry of Co operatives and Associations, co-operative federations from interstate and New Zealand also attended.

Presentations and discussions centred on challenges facing co operatives in accounting, legal and insurance areas. Restructuring of Co ops and understanding the health of the co-operative sector were also raised.

The NSW Co-operative Federation initiated a working party with representatives of co-operatives and other state Federations to consider further action in relation to the accounting transition reform.