It Started with Apples

It started with apples - the story of the Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd  has been published by the co-operative and with the following theme as expressed in the Introduction: "During its ninety year history, the Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd has played an inspirational role in the State's economy. It has been outward looking in seeking new opportunities and partnerships yet fiercly protective of its shareholders; the district's community."

The introduction also states: "The Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd's fortunes have been inexorably tied to those of the township of Mount Barker and the surrounding regions since the company's foundation in 1918."

"As a co-operative, its customers are its owners. Millions of dollars have circulated in the region through shareholder's dividends, trading bonuses, employment and traineeships and in building the town's social and physical infrastructure. Millions of dollars which could have been spent outside the region have remained in the area to enhance the economic, social and cultural fabric of the community."

"The services it provides have always been determined by the needs of its shareholders. While the  Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd has constantly evolved in order to meet these needs through a range of changing economic environments, it has always maintained its strong co-operative traditions. The Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd stands today - qand will stand tomorrow - as a fine example of the responsible management, diligence and prudence that allows it to continue to adhere to the tenets of the co-operative movement that it embraced almost a century ago."

The Introduction is quoted at length because it is important in providing a defining framework, and reference point,  for the history that unfolds - an explicit recognition of co-operative values and principles and their ongoing impact on the co-operative since its formation in 1917. It is an emphasis that is not always reflected and reinforced in histories about co-operative businesses. It is more typical that the historical emphasis is on the business to the exclusion of its co-operative origin and character.

When founded in 1917 and incorporated in 1918 as a cool store, the co-operative's vision was broad as reflected in the memorandum and articles of association - including the processing, production, distribution and retailing of fruit and vegetables and other produce.

The co-operative grew quickly and extended beyond fruit packing to become a local commercial agent for farming equipment and purchased the Mount barker Stores Limited and started providing groceries, clothes and household goods to the local community.

In 1929 its generaors powered the refrigeration plant but also provided electricity to the town. The provision of electricity to the town continued until 1953 when the state electricity supply became available.

Throughout the Depression, the co-operative provided the local farming community with critical support to continue economic and social activities by providing extensions of credit to producers - and consumers.

The co-operative continued its commitment to support the town and after the Second World War it set up a rest room for visiting country women and purchased a film projector for the school and the general community.

In 1948 the co-operative established a merchandise store. By 1949 the co-operative was also selling to Britain, Eire and Western Germany.

In 1957 the co-operative joined the United Wholesalers Co-operative Ltd which became Foodland in 1963 - supplying 40 country co-operatives.

By the 1960s, however, the co-operative had to tread water while its other enterprises were able to take the place of the apple export industry. By the mid 1960s retail did require expansion. A supermarket was opened in 1978. In 1981 a fuel depot was built.

Throughout its history the co-operative retained its commitment to the development of its community. In 1984 the co-operative donated $60,000 tp Plantagenet Village Homes. In 2002 the co-operative purchased the Mount Barker Newsagency to keep the newsagency business in the town  and subsequent sold it to a local family in 2009.

It was in the 1970s that the co-operative made the transition from a producers' to a consumers' co-operative. It was not until 2002 that all members could vote - until then there were voting rural producers and non-voting others.

It started with apples - the story of the Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd  compiled by Susan Groom and edited by Dr. John Gates, Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd, September 2009 ISBN 978-0-646-52082-7 For copies contact: Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd, 14 Lowood Road, Mt Barker WA 6324 Telephone: (08) 9851 3311 Web site: http://www.mtbarkercoop.com.au