Victorian Co-operatives
The co-operative sector in Victoria consists of around 520 co-operatives
(excluding
financial services mutuals), comprising 35% of the Australian total.
1
Co-operatives began to appear in Victoria in the 1860's. The first known
consumer owned
co-operative store in the state was formed in 1863. Retail co-operatives spread
throughout Victoria in following years. Agricultural co-operatives appeared in
the
late 1880's among dairy
farmers in western Victoria, and by the early 20th century, co-operatives
operated
in a wide range of agricultural industries.
2
The first credit co-operative (credit union) in Victoria was registered in
1954 following the passage of the
Co-operation Act 1953.
Fishing, water supply
and taxi co-operatives followed in the 1960's. The 1970's saw co-operatives
expand into aboriginal and child care services, housing
and FM radio
broadcasting.
Today, co-operatives in Victoria are involved in a wide range of economic and
social
activities.
The majority are
non distributing co-operatives
in the accommodation and hospitality,
arts and recreation, education and training, health care,
housing, media and social services industries. The balance are
distributing co-operatives
in the agricultural, electricity, fishing, forestry, retail,
transport, water and wholesale trade industries.
The first specific legislation for co-operatives in Victoria was the
Co-operation Act 1953.
Most co-operatives formed before 1953
remained under the state's
companies law or the
Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1928.
The 1953 act was followed by the
Co-operation Act 1958
and the
Co-operation Act 1981.
In 1997, the Victorian Government enacted the
Co-operatives Act 1996
after extensive consultation with the Australian co-operative sector. The
Victorian legislation became the model
for co-operatives law around Australia and formed the
basis of the 1996
Co-operatives Laws Agreement
between the commonwealth, state and territory governments.
Under the Australian Uniform Co-operative Laws Agreement, co-operatives in
Victoria are now
regulated under the
Co-operatives National Law (Victoria) Act 2013.
The following are links to Victorian co-operatives with websites. Some
co-operatives are listed more than once due to their activities covering more
than one industry.
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ACCOMMODATION and FOOD SERVICES
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Holiday (Caravan) Parks
Jubilee Lake Co-operative Ltd
Hotels, Motels, Restaurants and Cafés
Lockington Community Hotel Co-operative Ltd
Nandaly Community Hotel Co-Operative Ltd
Sea Lake Hotel Co-operative Ltd
Retreats
Rimstone Co-operative Ltd
Ski Lodges
Australian Alpine Club (Dinner Plain) Co-operative Ltd
B'Rush Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Hotham)
Blue Eyes Ski Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Buller)
Chorki Co-operative Society Ltd
(Falls Creek)
E.D. Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Baw Baw)
Eiger Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Hotham)
Falls Creek Co-operative Society Ltd
Gravbrot Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Hotham)
Kalyna Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Hotham)
Merrijig Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Buller)
Mt. Hotham Marouka Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
Oldina Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Buller, Falls Creek)
Pegasus Alpine Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Hotham)
Preston Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Buller)
Ski-Lib Alpine Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Buller, Falls Creek)
The Lodge Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Hotham)
Valhalla Ski Club Co-operative Ltd
(Mt. Hotham)
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ADMINISTRATIVE and SUPPORT SERVICES
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Building Cleaning Services
Redgum Cleaning Co-operative Ltd
Employment Services
Camp Jungai Co-operative Ltd
Community Work Society Co-operative Ltd
Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Gardening Services
Taking Root Gardening Co-operative Ltd
Travel Agency Services
Australian Travel Agents Co-operative Ltd
Agriculture Support Services
Food Next Door Co-operative Ltd
Herd Improvement Co-operative Australia Ltd
Macalister Research Farm Co-operative Ltd
Northern Herd Development Co-operative Ltd
Terang & District Co-operative Ltd
Commodity Marketing
 Agriculture Products and Seafood Wholesaling
Food Processing
Food Product Manufacturing
Inputs Supplies
Hardware, Building and Rural Supplies
Fishing Support Services
Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-operative Society Ltd
San Remo Fisherman's Co-operative Ltd
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ARTS and RECREATION SERVICES
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Aboriginal Culture
Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Bangerang Cultural Centre Co-operative Ltd
Brambuk Living Cultural Centre Co-operative Ltd
Camp Jungai Co-operative Ltd
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Ilbijerri Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-operative Ltd
Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Artist's Studios and Support
Artery Co-operative Ltd
Creative and Performing Arts Activities
Ilbijerri Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-operative Ltd
Melbourne Jazz Co-operative Ltd
Heritage Activities
Australian Living Peace Museum Co-operative Ltd
Sporting and Recreation Activities
Basketball Stadiums Victoria Co-operative Limited
Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron Co-operative Ltd
Bendigo Squash Centre Co-operative Ltd
Down To Earth (Vic) Co-operative Society Ltd
Fairfield Canoe Club Co-operative Ltd
Para Park Co-operative Game Reserve Ltd
Southern Obedience Dog Club Co-operative Ltd
Landscape Construction Services
Victorian Stonemasons Co-operative Ltd
Adult, Community and Other Education
Brunswick Neighbourhood House Co-operative Ltd
Commonground Co-operative Ltd
Hope Co-op Ltd
Mountain District Women's Co-operative Ltd
Outlets Co-operative Neighbourhood House Ltd
Sandy Beach Community Co-operative Society Ltd
School Education
Fitzroy Community School Co-operative Ltd
Learning Co-operative Ltd
Mount Carmel Christian School Co-operative Ltd
Newhaven College Co-operative Ltd
Urban Camp Melbourne Co-operative Ltd
Technical and Vocational Education and Training
Camp Jungai Co-operative Ltd
Open Channel Co-operative Ltd
The Borderlands Co-operative Ltd
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ELECTRICITY, WATER and WASTE SERVICES
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Electricity Generation
Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative Ltd
Electricity Supply
Co-operative Power Australia Ltd
Energy Related Services
Energy Innovation Co-operative Ltd
Ranges Energy Co-operative Ltd
Financial Asset Investing
Australian Equity Co-operative Ltd
Ethical Advisers' Co-operative Ltd
Organic & Regenerative Investment Cooperative Ltd
The Innovation Co-operative Ltd
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HEALTH CARE and SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
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Aboriginal Services
Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Budga Budga Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health & Housing Co-operative Ltd
Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative Ltd
Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation (MAYSAR) Co-operative Ltd
Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Co-operative Ltd
Victorian Aboriginal Health Services Co-operative Ltd
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co-operative Ltd
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Yappera Children's Service Co-operative Ltd
Child Care Services
Ballarat Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Bentleigh Early Child Education Co-operative Ltd
Brunswick Neighbourhood House Co-operative Ltd
Castlemaine Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Clifton Childcare Co-operative Ltd
Dawson Street Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Deakin & Community Childcare Co-operative Ltd
East Melbourne Childcare Co-operative Ltd
Eltham Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Eltham Woods Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Fawkner Park Children's Centre Co-operative Ltd
Flemington Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Friendship Square Child Care & Kindergarten Co-operative Ltd
Ivanhoe Children's Community Co-operative Ltd
John Street Community Early Childhood Co-operative Ltd
Kensington Community Children's Co-operative Ltd
Malvern Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Melbourne University Family Club Co-operative Ltd
Meruka Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Monash Children's Centre (Clayton) Co-operative Ltd
Monash Community Family Co-operative Ltd
Moreland Community Child Care Co-operative Ltd
North Fitzroy Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Numdaji Kwei Children's Centre Co-operative Ltd
Oakleigh Occasional Care Co-operative Ltd
Outlets Co-operative Neighbourhood House Ltd
Park Street Early Learning Co-op Ltd
Sandy Beach Community Co-operative Society Ltd
Skye Children's Co-operative Ltd
South Melbourne Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Co-operative Ltd
Wimble St Child Care Co-operative Ltd
Windsor Community Children's Centre Co-operative Ltd
Wingate Avenue Children's Co-operative Ltd
Yappera Children's Service Co-operative Ltd
Disability and Aged Care Services
Sandy Beach Community Co-operative Society Ltd
Medical and Other Health Care Services
Victorian Aboriginal Health Services Co-operative Ltd
Westgate Health Co-operative Ltd
Social Support
Brunswick Neighbourhood House Co-operative Ltd
Hungarian Community Co-operative Association Ltd
Mountain District Women's Co-operative Ltd
Outlets Co-operative Neighbourhood House Ltd
Sandy Beach Community Co-operative Society Ltd
FM Radio Broadcasters
Ballarat Community FM Radio Co-operative Ltd
Gippsland Community Radio Society Co-operative Ltd
Mallee Community & Educational Broadcasters Co-operative Ltd
Progressive Broadcasting Service Co-operative Ltd
Internet Services
Tau Ceti Co-operative Ltd
Motion Picture and Video Production
Open Channel Co-operative Ltd
Newspaper and Magazine Publishing
Australian Exhibitions and Publications Co-operative Ltd
Hopetoun Courier Co-operative Ltd
Legal Service Bulletin Co-operative Ltd
Beverage Manufacturing
Hopsters Co-operative Brewery Ltd
The 888 Antipodean Order of Froth Blowers Co-operative Ltd
Other Manufacturing
Earthworker Co-operative Ltd
Eureka's Future Workers' Cooperative Ltd
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PROFESSIONAL and TECHNICAL SERVICES
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Architectural Services
ArchiTeam Co-operative Ltd
Legal Services
St. Kilda Legal Service Co-operative Ltd
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co-operative Ltd
Management Advice and Related Consultancy Services
Commoners Co-op Ltd
Co-operative Bonds Ltd
Residential Property Operators
(Housing co-operatives)
Dromana Common Equity Rental Housing Co-operative Ltd
Earth Common Equity Housing Co-operative Ltd
Eastern Suburbs Rental Housing Co-operative Ltd
Entity Common Equity Rental Housing Co-operative Ltd
Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
North Geelong Rental Housing Co-operative Ltd
Northcote Rental Housing Co-operative Ltd
South East Housing Co-operative Ltd
Sunshine/St Albans Rental Housing Co-operative Ltd
United Housing Co-operative Ltd
Williamstown Rental Housing Co-operative Ltd
Land Share Co-operatives
Commonground Co-operative Ltd
Hamilton Park Co-operative Ltd
Moora Moora Co-operative Community Ltd
Mt. Murrindal Co-operative Ltd
Round the Bend Conservation Co-operative Ltd
Art and Craft Outlets
Hub Cottage Crafts Co-op Ltd
Oak Hill Community Arts Co-operative Ltd
Purple Starfish Co-operative Ltd
Book Stores
New International Bookshop Co-operative Ltd
Swinburne Bookshop Co-operative Ltd
Department Stores
Terang & District Co-operative Ltd
Food Retailing/Buying Groups
(except
Supermarket and Grocery Stores)
Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-operative Ltd
Beechworth Food Co-operative Ltd
Brunswick Food Co-op Ltd
Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-operative Society Ltd
San Remo Fisherman's Co-operative Ltd
Sunbury Organic Food Co-operative Ltd
(Buying group)
Fuel Retailing
Ballarat Taxis Co-operative Ltd
Kaniva Community Co-operative Ltd
Hardware, Building and Rural Supplies
Casterton Community Co-operative Ltd
CEPA Co-operative Ltd
Emerald & District Co-operative Society Ltd
Terang & District Co-operative Ltd
The Tobacco and Associated Farmers Co-operative Ltd
Plant Nurseries
Canopy Accelerator Co-operative Ltd
Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-operative Ltd
Supermarket and Grocery Stores
Colbinabbin General Store Co-op Ltd
Culgoa Community Co-operative Ltd
Terang & District Co-operative Ltd
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TRANSPORT and POSTAL SERVICES
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Road Passenger Transport
Ballarat Taxis Co-operative Ltd
Taxis Associated of Bendigo Co-operative Ltd
Postal Services
Colbinabbin General Store Co-op Ltd
Culgoa Community Co-operative Ltd
Agriculture Products Wholesaling
Boort Grain Co-operative Ltd
Mountain Milk Co-operative Ltd
Nandaly Grain Co-operative Ltd
Organic Dairy Farmers Co-operative Ltd
Pyrenees Hay Processors Co-operative Ltd
Grocery and Liquor Wholesaling
Co-operative Supermarkets Australia Ltd
Seafood Wholesaling
Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-operative Ltd
Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-operative Society Ltd
San Remo Fisherman's Co-operative Ltd
Other Goods Wholesaling
Camping World Australia Co-operative Ltd
Water Pro's Co-operative Ltd
Automotive Repair and Maintenance
Tint King Australia Co-operative Ltd
Business and Professional Association Services
Business & Professional Women's Co-operative Ltd
Voices for Mallee Co-operative Ltd
Interest Groups
Acres and Acres Co-operative Ltd
Co-op Incubator Ltd
888 Causeway Co-operative Ltd
Jubilee Alliance Australia Co-operative Ltd
Kurri Kurri Co-operative Society Ltd
Kyneton & District Town Square Co-op Ltd
MEG Conservation Co-operative Ltd
Para Park Co-operative Game Reserve Ltd
Rethink Recycling Co-op Ltd
Round the Bend Conservation Co-operative Ltd
Urimbirra Co-operative Society Ltd
Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Religous Services
John xxiii Co-operative Ltd
1 Consumer Affairs Victoria, 2018-19 Annual Report.
2 Gary Lewis, The Democracy Principle: Farmer Co-operatives in Twentieth
Century Australia, 2006.
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