Celebrating our NSW Icons

19 March 2025

In 2025, the United Nations declared the second International Year of Cooperatives, recognising the transformative power of three million member-owned businesses worldwide. In NSW, co-operatives and mutuals have served members and shaped communities for nearly 200 years. More than businesses, they are icons of lasting impact.

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Pioneers of fairness, co-ops and mutuals have provided financial security and opportunity since the 1880s, while agricultural co-ops like Norco have stayed true to their roots as a 100% farmer-owned co-op. Co-ops like Cobargo have been a pillar of resilience, standing strong after catastrophic events like the Black Summer fires. Newcastle Greater Mutual Group, born from Newcastle Permanent, now stands as a leading mutual bank after merging with Greater Bank. Co-ops and mutuals have safeguarded workers for over a century, and grown into thriving community enterprises. The NRMA, motorists’ advocate for over a century, is now pioneering sustainable transport and EV infrastructure as Australia’s largest member owned organisation. Yenda Producers sustains Riverina farmers, and HCF, born in the Great Depression, is Australia’s largest non-profit health fund.

Co-ops have always stepped up to meet new challenges. Clarence River Fishing Co-op was protecting fishers post-WWII. Westfund, originally a miners’ fund, was helping shape the private health industry. And The Plumbers Co-op ensured fair access to supplies for tradies. Tranby, Australia’s oldest Indigenous College remains a leader in education and empowerment today. And Credit unions formed to bridge financial gaps are now thriving as mutual banks from the cities to the regions.

As industries evolved, co-ops have responded. ILG empowers independent bottle shops, RapidClean helps its business members through group-buying, and Go Vita is Australia’s largest health food co-op. Mutuals strengthen businesses, protect communities, champion Indigenous artists and revolutionise risk protection. They facilitate adaption like Stockinsure securing livestock markets for buyers and sellers, and HunterNet revitalising Newcastle’s manufacturing industry and driving billions in turnover for the region today.

Co-ops and mutuals are driving sustainability and inclusion. StateCover supports local government with cover, workplace safety and employee well-being. Common Equity NSW provides affordable housing and empowers tenants. And Oz Group connects farmers to markets and improves the industry. Co-ops are leading renewable energy and a just transition to a low carbon economy, supporting families under the NDIS and safeguarding community organisations. They pioneer ethical employee-owned consultancies, and keep local businesses and small towns thriving. Through crisis and prosperity, co-ops reinvest locally, strengthen the economy and put people before profit – ensuring a fair, sustainable future.

Co-ops and mutuals are key partners in achieving the NSW Government’s vision for a strong, inclusive economy:

• In housing: Co-ops and mutuals like Common Equity, Hope Housing and Police Bank are bringing secure tenure and home ownership to more citizens.
• In net zero and energy transition: Renewable energy co-ops like Goulburn Community Energy are driving clean power investment, while the NRMA is accelerating the state and Australia’s EV transition.
• In local manufacturing: From dairy processing to HunterNet’s manufacturing innovation, co-ops strengthen supply chains, earn export income and secure jobs and skills in NSW.

By pooling resources and expertise, co-ops and mutuals create a fairer economy – one that reinvests in