The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) recently featured Jill Jordan in the program Australian Story under the title: The Legend of Frogs' Hollow. Jill Jordan, 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 area.

There is no doubt that the Maleny experience could be repeated at other rural/regional locations, provided sufficient interest, commitment and leadership is shown by the local communities. ACCORD could assist interested communities in identifying the necessary factors to make such projects successful.

A paper written by Jill is available for download on our publications page.

A transcript of the program, which was aired on Thursday, 6 September 2001 at 8:00 pm, can be obtained from http://www.abc.net.au/austory/archives/AustoryArchivesIdx_Thursday6September2001.htm.