Revitalising rural life through GNP360: Cassandra Beeck’s inspiring journey

Cassandra (Cassy) Beeck is a dynamic community leader making a significant impact in Gnowangerup, Western Australia. With a background in education, music, and community development, Cassy combines her passion for rural living with a knack for strategic planning. As the driving force behind GNP360, a co-operative aimed at improving rural life, she has played a pivotal role in revitalising her community.

Here we explore what drives Cassy, the evolution of GNP360, how The Bunya Fund provided vital support, and five practical tips Cassy offers for co-operative development.

What drives Cassy?

Cassy’s journey into community leadership began in South Australia, where she trained as a teacher. However, life shifted when she married a fourth-generation farmer and moved to Gnowangerup, a small rural town. As she settled into her new environment, she recognised the challenges faced by regional communities.

Her ability to rally people and manage projects became evident when she led efforts to install a 1.5 km pipeline to support the local school oval. This hands-on approach to solving problems became a hallmark of her work.

The GNP360 story

In 2018, Gnowangerup faced a crisis. The town saw the closure of its hairdresser, two banks, and its IGA supermarket, threatening the economic and social fabric of the community. Inspired by a workshop led by community-building expert Peter Kenyon, Cassy and a group of residents decided to act.

Kenyon’s advice became their guiding principle:

What started as a progress association soon evolved into GNP360, a co-operative with a mission to sustain and enhance the town’s businesses, services, and community infrastructure.

Their first major achievement was the purchase and renovation of the IGA building, ensuring the supermarket continued to operate. The co-operative didn’t stop there, launching a string of impactful initiatives:

• The Horsepower Highway: A creative tourism attraction drawing visitors to Gnowangerup.
• Physiotherapy clinic: Repurposing a former bank building to provide health services locally.
• Playground precinct: Creating family-friendly spaces to encourage community gatherings and tourism.

The most ambitious project is the redevelopment of the historic Gnowangerup Hotel into the "Gnowangerup Accommodation Precinct and Family Hotel." This initiative aims to address local accommodation shortages while transforming the hotel into a hub for tourism and community activity.

How The Bunya Fund helped

GNP360 received critical support from The Bunya Fund, which allowed the co-operative to access professional services needed for strategic planning. This co-op sector backed fund is generously supported by BCCM members Australian Unity, Bank Australia, CBH Group (focus on WA grain-growing regions) and APS Benefits Group.

The funding was used to commission architects and financial advisors, enabling GNP360 to develop comprehensive business plans and financial projections for the hotel project. This preparation was crucial when applying for additional funding, including a $250,000 grant from the Great Southern Development Commission.

With this support, GNP360 has embarked on the first phase of hotel renovations, including:

• Six fully refurbished rooms: Designed to meet modern standards.
• Caretaker’s quarters and universal access ramp: To improve inclusivity and functionality.
• Plans for a commercial-grade kitchen: Ensuring the hotel can serve as a dining and community space.

These developments promise to bring economic and social vitality back to Gnowangerup, making the town a model for regional resilience.

Five tips from Cassy for co-operative development in your town

Drawing from her experience with GNP360, Cassy shares her top tips for starting and growing a co-operative:

1. Start with what you have
   “The solution often lies within your community. Use the assets, skills, and people already there.”
2. Build partnerships
   “Collaborate with local councils, businesses, and organisations. Partnerships amplify what you can achieve.”
3. Learn as you go
   “We didn’t know much about co-operatives at first, but we were willing to learn. Seek advice and embrace the process.”
4. Involve everyone
   “Make your co-op inclusive. The more people feel invested, the stronger your community support will be.”
5. Stay persistent
   “Challenges will come, but don’t give up. With determination and teamwork, you can overcome almost anything.”

A blueprint for rural revitalisation

Cassandra Beeck’s work with GNP360 is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions. By fostering collaboration and leveraging local resources, the co-operative has not only preserved vital services but also created new opportunities for growth and connection.

As Gnowangerup moves forward, Cassy’s story offers inspiration for other rural communities: with vision, determination, and support, revitalisation is possible.

For those inspired by this journey, express your interest in The Bunya Fund.