Articles

1. Australia's Co-operative Coin

   Australia has a co-operative coin.  The collectable $1 coin will be produced by the Royal Australian Mint in recognition of the International Year of Co-operatives 2012. Australia is the first country throughout the world to produce a collectable coin for IYC 2012. The collectable coin is availablr from the Royal Australian Mint in January 2012.

   The Australia Mint commemorative $1 coin is uncirculated. The coin features building blocks, which represent the role that co-operatives play in providing stability in a global economy.

   The IYC 2012 coin retails at A13.50 and the International Price is A$12,27 plus postage. The product code is 310163. Order online from the Royal Australian Mint.

2. The Co-operative Option

   The essence of co-operative education is education about the co-operation option - individuals meeting together to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of co-operatives. It is critical that nmembers of co-operatives understand the values and principles of co-operation and this is only possible through a process of studying the co-operatives and co-operative values and principles. Without this the ingredients of failure threaten the survival of co-operatives.

   The essence of co-operative education is education about the co-operation option.

3. Heritage Bank

   Heritage Building Society has plans to become Australia's biggest member-owned bank after 98.6% of its members at the annual general meeting supported a planned name change to heritage Bank. Heritage, based in Toowoomba, Queensland, was established in 1875.  it has 58 branches and 700 staf and total assets of more than A$8 billion.  Heritage will now apply to the australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for approval of the name change.

4. ICA General Assembly 2011 - Principles

   The International Co-operative Alliance General Assembly in Cancun, Mexico, between 14-18 November 2011 will be considering a proposed amendment to the Seventh Co-operative Principle. The proposed amendment has been submitted by the Regional Board of ICA Americas. If adopted, the revised Seventh Co-operative Principle:

   Concern for community an environmental sustainability.

   Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities including the protection ofr the environment through policies approved by their members, promoting the responsible management of natural resources to ensure ecological balance.

5. Co-operative Schools in the UK

   There has been a rapid growth of co-operative schools in the UK. Work to develop co-operative schools has been led by the Co-operative College with support from the Co-operative Group. The first co-operative school was the Reddish Vale Technology College in Stockport. By September 2011 there were 150 co-operaqtive schools with more in consultation processes.