The Co-op Federation

05/10/2026

Huge congrats to our friends and members at Crafty Friends Stroud, who just celebrated their craft co-operative's 30th birthday. That's a long time bringing joy, creativity and income to local makers!

04/10/2026

Could your co-op be eligible for up to $120,000?

The Australian Government’s Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) is offering capability-building grants to eligible social enterprises, including co-operatives.

We know co-ops can be eligible: Community Enterprise Cooperative was one of the first SEDI grant recipients, receiving funding to support its worker co-op model, which creates employment and training opportunities for people with disability.

The grants can support things like governance, strategy, financial modelling, impact measurement, business planning and legal or specialist advice.

There’s also a separate SEDI funding stream for First Nations social enterprises.

Think your co-op might be a fit? The Co-op Federation can put you in touch with an advisor who can help you work through the application process.

Applications are assessed as they are received until funding is exhausted.

Find out more: https://www.socialimpacthub.org/services/sedi-capability-building-grants

02/10/2026

🎉 90 years of co-operation!

This Saturday, one of our members, Beerwah Co-Op (AKA Coochin Creek Fruitgrowers), is celebrating an incredible 90 years in the Glasshouse Country community.

What started in 1936 when a group of local farmers came together has grown and changed with the times, while staying true to something pretty simple: a co-op is owned by the members who come together to make it happen.

The thing about co-ops is they can adapt, evolve and stick around for generations because people build them for a purpose and direct community need.

Keep an eye on Coochin Creek’s socials for a look at the 90th celebrations!

Happy 90th, Coochin Creek! We're looking forward to seeing you smash another 90 years. ❤️

01/10/2026

Co-operative Governance Course - Three lunchtime sessions

Are you looking for an overview of strong co-operative governance?
The Co-op Federation is running a Co-operative Governance short course that covers the nine essential modules of governance for co-operatives. This course brings together current co-operators, those considering stepping up to their co-op’s board, and those looking to refresh their governance knowledge. We also welcome co-op-curious folk just starting out on their co-operative journey!

The course runs over three lunchtime sessions on Thursdays, 12pm–1.30pm AEDT, starting October 15 for three weeks. Check the rego page for local time zones.

Co-op Federation members: $195
Non-members: $320

Click here for more information or to register: https://events.humanitix.com/online-co-operative-governance-october-2026-three-lunchtime-sessions

Come join us!

24/09/2026

We were very honoured to join our housing co-op members at the Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance Summit yesterday at NSW Parliament.
For those who own or rent, housing co-operatives offer decency, empowerment, security of tenure and connection to community.

Yesterday, we heard from people who live in co-ops, international co-op leaders, Australian policymakers committing to co-ops, and peak bodies who support the development of co-ops.

What a relief to finally see this essential piece of the housing puzzle being recognised for the role it plays, and can play, in solving our housing crisis.

Thank you to ACHA for making this important gathering happen!

21/09/2026

A berth with our great member co-op

⚓ MOORING AVAILABLE – BROOKLYN ⚓
Looking for a convenient place to moor your boat on the beautiful Hawkesbury River? Brooklyn Co-Operative currently has mooring availability! Places are limited, so get in touch if you're interested.

20/09/2026

CO-OP JOB! 📣

Have you heard us raving about the brilliant Djäkamirr Co-op, a Yolŋu-owned and matriarch-governed co-op based in Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island?

Djäkamirr are Yolŋu doulas and birth workers who support Yolŋu women and families through culturally grounded pregnancy and birth care, and work to bring more birthing and reproductive care back to Country. It’s a pretty extraordinary co-op story.

They are currently hiring an Executive Assistant, 0.6 FTE, remote/work from home.

We reckon this could be a brilliant opportunity for someone in our co-op network. Co-op experience is welcome, and they’re looking for someone organised, resourceful, calm when plans change and able to work with cultural humility.

If you want to learn more, or just get a little inspired about what co-ops can make possible, there’s some great info in this article, plus a beautiful story about the creation of Djäkamirr.

https://www.pandanusmatfringe.com/post/the-only-way-out-is-through-a-new-home-and-a-new-chapter

Applications are through EthicalJobs (links via the article above)

Please share with someone who might be a great fit! 🌿

17/09/2026

Throwback Thursday to last month at our co-op leaders workshop in Burnie, Tasmania, with agricultural co-operatives coming together alongside international speaker Tony Aitken, CEO of , NZ.
It’s an honour to bring co-ops together in this way to celebrate our member-first model, share tips and learnings, and be with each other, together in person.

Our homebase host for this fourth leaders summit was Yolla Co-Op , which saw us off with a site tour at their Wynyard branch. So many great initiatives here and across our rural agricultural network. In rural areas, putting the person first, like co-ops do, just seems to fit.

Thanks for having us, Yolla. Everyone at this gathering was blown away by the open sharing between co-ops because collaboration beats competition every day of the week!

12/09/2026

A must see on the NSW South Coast

🎬 **NOWRA SCREENING — ONE NIGHT ONLY**

Experience **MAYPILAMA: Keel Line of Creation**, a powerful documentary following Yolŋu women leading the movement to return birth to Country.

Some of the filmmakers will travel all the way from Arnhem Land to attend this special screening and share the film with the Nowra community.

📅 Tuesday 13 October 2026
🕕 6.00 pm
📍 Roxy Cinema, Nowra, NSW

Seats are limited—book now and join us for this important story of cultural authority, determination and transformative change.

🎟️ **Tickets:** https://tickets.demand.film/event/13622

⏯**Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp6MGQzWExw