2021 ASSEMBLY PROGRAM
Program – Day 1
(Note: subject to change)
Date: Thursday 17 June 2021
9am
Opening Session
(Auditoruim)
Keynote speakers discuss the challenges facing co-ops, and their capacity to impact economic, social and environmental outcomes.
Welcome and Acknowledgements
- Indigenous Welcome to Country
- Sam Byrne – Secretary, The Co-op Federation MC & Assembly Overview
- Andrew Ferguson – Coverforce
Keynote Speakers:
- Ronni Kahn – Founder, Oz Harvest (In person)
- Assistant Professor Nathan Schneider – University of Colorado Boulder (USA – Online)
10.30am
Morning Tea – Showcase & Networking (Auditorium Foyer & Heritage Room)
11am
Plenary 2 – Regional/Rural Farming & Food
(Auditorium)
The latest issues in food production, farming and producer co-ops, our relationship with the climate, and how co-ops can help the world achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Speakers:
- Peter Arkle – CEO, NSW Farmers (In person)
- Mick Veitch MLC – NSW Shadow Minister Industry & Trade, Rural Affairs (In person)
- Tony Hill – Executive Chair, Australian Holistic Management Co-op (In person)
- Lorraine Gordon – Director, Farming Together Program (In person)
Common Equity NSW Sector Forum – Part 1
(Meeting Room 2 & 3)
A meeting of housing co-ops (Common Equity members only)
12:30pm
Lunch – Showcase & Networking (Auditorium Foyer & Heritage Room)
1:30pm
Workshops
(Auditorium)
The tools to tell your Co-op Story in the Open Mic later in the day. Presented by Wicked Elephants Co-op.
Common Equity NSW Sector Forum – Part 2
(Meeting Room 2 & 3)
A meeting of housing co-ops (Common Equity members only)
Governance Training – Part 1
(Meeting Room 4 & 5)
THE training workshop on the fundamentals of co-ops and their governance presented by Federation Secretary Sam Byrne.
Topics:
- National and International Co-op Landscape
- Co-op Principles and Values
- Co-op National Law Compliance
Stories
(Heritage Room)
Day 1 program includes:
- Emeritus Prof Greg Patmore, Uni of Sydney – The Australian Co-operative History Project.
- Richard O’Leary Former Chair, Macleay Regional Co-op
3:30pm
Co-ops and Charity Law
presented by For Purpose Advisory
Sector Forum – Food Co-ops
(Tut Meeting Room)
A meeting of food co-ops led by their new peak body Co-op Grocers.
Sector Forum – Rural/Regional Retailers
(Room 4 & 5)
A meeting of retailing and rural supplies co-ops.
Co-operative Stories Open Mic
(Heritage Room)
3-5 Minute Co-op Stories from the Wicked Eephants Workshop
4:30pm
Plenary 3 – Co-ops, Climate and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Auditorium)
5pm
Welcome Drinks – Showcase & Networking (Heritage Room)
7pm
Assembly Dinner (ticket holders only)
Barracks on Barrack, (Combined Services RSL Club Co-operative) 5-7 Barrack Street Sydney
A menu prepared by Chef Jason Bygraves incorporating generous contributions from these Federation member co-ops:
- Commercial Fishermen’s Co-op
- Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Marketing Co-op
- Yenda Producers Co-op
- NSW/ACT Truffle Marketing Co-op
- Braidwood Garlic Growers Co-op
- Pecan Farmers’ Co-op of Australia
- Hopsters Co-op Brewery
Dinner Speaker:
- Geoff Bugden – Rugby League Legend and Chair, Pecan Farmers’ Co-op of Australia
Performance:
- Greater Sydney Orchestra Co-op Ensemble
Program – Day 2
(Note: subject to change)
Date: Friday 18 June 2021
9am
Plenary 4 – Labour, Services and the New Economy (Auditorium)
The rise of casualisation and the gig economy, particularly in the services sector, local and international experiences addressing this disruption, and the opportunities for platform co-ops.
Speakers:
- Sebastien Paule – Director of Development, Smart Co-op (Belgium – Online)
- Jess Scully – Deputy Mayor, City of Sydney (Online)
- Yasmin Catley MP – NSW Deputy Opposition Leader (In person)
- Abigail Boyd MLC – NSW Upper House MP (In person)
- Godfrey Moase – United Workers Union (Online)
10:30am
Morning Tea – Showcase & Networking (Auditorium Foyer and Heritage Room)
11am
Plenary 5 – Housing & Community Ownership (Auditorium)
A strong co-operative sector resourcing and investing in assets for the community, including the delivery of affordable housing and renewable energy.
Speakers:
- Greg Ryan – Bundagen Co-op (In person)
- Associate Professor Louise Crabtree – Western Sydney University (In person)
- Gretchen Alt-Cooper – Goulburn Community Energy Co-op (In person)
- Carmen Osborne – Chair, Common Equity NSW (In person)
- Julia Finn MP – NSW Shadow Minister for Consumer Protection, Carers (In person)
12:30pm
Lunch – Showcase & Networking (Auditorium Foyer & Heritage Room)
Performance: Greater Sydney Orchestra Co-op Ensemble (Heritage Room)
1:30pm
Workshops
(Meeting Room 2&3)
Content and Social Media
presented by the Federation’s Molly Kendall
Governance – Part 2
(Meeting Room 4 & 5)
THE training workshop on the fundamentals of co-ops and their governance presented by Federation Secretary Sam Byrne.
Topics:
- Directors’ Roles and Responsibilities
- Good Governance Principles and Conduct
- Conflicts of Interest
Co-op Stories
(Heritage Room)
Day 2 Program Includes:
Consultants /Facilitators
The Grove Is Open Co-op – Thriving Triangle game… analysing conflict and building collaboration.
Mercury Co-op – Access to Start-up Facilitation via shared learning through membership.
2:30pm
Workshops
(Meeting Rooms 2 & 3)
Co-op Employment Law
Presented by Work Lawyers
Governance – Part 2
(Meeting Room 4 & 5)
continued
Housing & Community Asset Stories
(Heritage Room)
- Ningara Housing Coop – Jane Oldham
- Resource Work Co-operative – Jason Richards
- Greater Symphony Orchestra – Andrew Quah
- Hotline Couriers – Sam Rothwell
3:30pm
Federation Strategic Planning Session (Federation members only)
(Tut Meeting Room)
Co-op Open Mic
(Heritage Room)
- BlueTounge
- CMAC Workers Co-op
- Open Mic
4:30pm
Closing Plenary (Auditorium)
5pm
Closing Drinks – Showcase & Networking (Heritage Room)
Sponsors
Premium Sponsors
Associate Sponsors
Bursary Sponsor
