We sincerely regret the loss of ACCORD, Australia's only national research and development agency. The closure diminishes our capacity to map and publicise the dimensions, strengths and potential of Australia's co-operatives and other social enterprise organisations. All is not lost, however, former ACCORD research members, Dr Branka Krivokapic-Skoko and Professor Eddie Oczkowski of Charles of Sturt University; Adjunct Professor, Mark Lyons and Associate Professor Judy Johnston of the University of Technology, Sydney will continue their co-operative research activities. For their contact details please visit www.accord.org.au/aboutus/

Co-operative research and development is also carried out by our former Associates. A comprehensive list of ACCORD Associates is available at: www.accord.org.au/aboutus/associates.

Depending on availability of resources, the Centre for Australian Community Organisations Management (CACOM) will take over many of the important communications activities of ACCORD. We are optimistic that CACOM will host an Australian co-operatives web page and continue publishing the popular and informative online newsletter (ACCORD NEWS), under a new title.

"As Director of CACOM, I would like to add our regret that such an important enterprise as ACCORD should flounder. We will assist in any way we can to continue some of the important work of ACCORD in extending our knowledge of co-operatives and the underlying principles of mutuality and cooperation."

Professor Jenny Onyx (UTS)
Email: jenny.onyx@uts.edu.au
http://www.business.uts.edu.au/cacom/

It is proposed to transfer the National Co-operatives Database to the website of the NSW Registry of Co-operatives and Associations. Details of the new location will be posted on the ACCORD website www.accord.org.au in the near future.

The Board and staff of ACCORD would like to thank all our supporters, especially our close partners, the NSW Registry of Co-operatives and Associations, Office of Fair Trading, the Co-operative Federations, ACCORD Advisory Committee, Associates Network, researchers and the many individuals and organisations including former staff that have contributed to our understanding of the important role co-operatives and similar mutually based organisations play in Australia, and throughout the world.

Please continue to logon to our website www.accord.org.au, for current information and directions to the new site when it becomes available.

Associate Professor Judy Johnston judy.Johnston@uts.edu.au