Co-operatives Connect – Mid North Coast
Friday 7 June 2024, 9 AM – 4:30 PM AEST
Join us as we bring together co-operators on the mid north coast of NSW for networking, education and inspiration.
#BetterTogether
Our key theme
- Better Together – #BetterTogether
When and where
Join us in Kempsey on Friday 7 June 2024, 9 AM – 4:30 PM AEST, at the Slim Dusty Centre, 490 Macleay Valley Way, Kempsey, NSW 2440.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer online streaming. This is an in-person event only.
Panel and Workshop Themes
- Our Co-operative Economy
- Sector meetings among co-ops – Fishing, Arts/crafts, Retailing/Food, Landsharing, Indigenous
- Building co-op member benefits
- Marketing your co-op advantage
- C to C procurement
- Constitution Checkup – Bring your Co-operative Rules and check that it aligns with Co-operatives National Law (CNL)
Inclusions
Ticket price will include lunch, morning and afternoon tea. For opportunities to hold a market or information stall, contact Molly on molly@fed.coop
Networking Drinks
All attendees are welcome to join us for networking drinks at Wauchope Creative Hub on Thursday, 6 June from 6 pm. Attendance is free, and drink proceeds will be used to support local co-op, Wauchope Creative Hub. Light snacks will be provided.
Member Tickets
The Co-op Federation member co-operatives (and their members) are welcome to select these discounted tickets.
Speakers
More speakers coming soon…
Michael Kemp MP
Michael Kemp, a sixth-generation farmer from Kempsey, transitioned from aspiring AFL player to military service, including deployments to East Timor and Iraq. Post-military, he pursued physiotherapy, founding a leading allied health company on the Mid-North Coast. Michael is passionate about local businesses and economic development and actively fosters prosperity and resilience in his area.
With a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Newcastle (2009), he balances roles as a company director, physiotherapist, and farmer. He was named the 2021 Australia Day Macleay Volunteer of the Year. Since March 25, 2023, he has been the Member for Oxley on the NSW Legislative Assembly. In June 2023, he became a member on the Committee on the Health Care Complaints Commission.
Dianne Wall
Dianne has extensive finance and human resources management expertise across diverse industries. Her career has included finance and human resources roles within the not-for-profit sector, community services, manufacturing, the vehicle industry, and accounting. Dianne holds a Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management from Southern Cross University. Whilst Dianne has worked in the corporate world, her passion and interest lies within the not-for-profit sector to deliver outcomes for our local communities and their most vulnerable people.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a network which spans 50 committees nationwide. These committees, made up of local leaders, collaborate with government, industry, and community groups to foster regional development. RDA Mid North Coast is committed to driving sustainable development and enhancing the well-being of the region’s community.
Sam Byrne
Sam has been an active member and director in the co-operative sector for more than 25 years. He became a director of the Federation in 2013 and secretary in 2016.
He is also a former Mayor, and a director of Local Government Super. Sam holds a Masters of Management from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He is passionate about the co-operative enterprise model that delivers benefits to members and their communities rather than simply profit to often distant shareholders.
Molly Kendall
Molly is passionate about co-operatives and sharing systems. Before joining the team at The Co-op Federation, she spent seven years as Coordinator of Resource Work Cooperative, a waste management worker-owned co-op in Hobart, Tasmania.
Molly holds an Honours degree in Social Science at the University of Adelaide, volunteers to convene several co-operative networking groups, and in 2020 completed the ‘Platform Co-operatives Now’ Course with Mondragon University in Spain and The New School University in the United States.
From her experience working in co-operatives she has witnessed that when we participate in true democratic governance, it makes us happy. She believes in the power of co-operatives to transition the economy to a fairer model: local, circular and distributive.
Our Sponsors
More Information
Cancellation Policy
The Federation recognises in-person gatherings remain vulnerable to last-minute disruptions such as illness. In recognition, tickets can be refunded in case of illness, no questions asked.
Online
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer online streaming. This is an in-person event only.
Become a Sponsor
If you wish to sponsor our event, please contact Molly on molly@fed.coop for details.
Bursaries
In the spirit of cooperation among co-ops, you may wish to support someone with financial constraints in attending. Don’t hesitate to contact Molly to register your interest in sponsoring an attendee. Your contribution will be acknowledged in our conference communications.
If you are seeking financial assistance to attend our conference, please contact Molly on molly@fed.coop