Melina Morrison’s address at the opening of the Goulburn community‑owned solar farm

23 March 2026

At the opening of Australia’s first community‑owned solar farm and battery in Goulburn, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) CEO Melina Morrison delivered an address celebrating the community’s leadership and the national significance of the achievement. Her speech acknowledged the decade‑long journey of Community Energy for Goulburn (CE4G) and the Goulburn Community Energy Cooperative (GCEC), framing the project as both a regional milestone and a global example of co‑operation in action.

A milestone built on human effort

Melina began by recognising the emotion of the moment and the many years of personal commitment behind the project. “Births, deaths and marriages have happened throughout this journey,” she reflected, honouring the real lives that shaped the co‑operative’s path.

Quoting Margaret Mead, she reminded the community of the power of grassroots leadership:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

She also drew on Confucius’ words to describe the long effort that led to the project’s opening:

“The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.”

What began more than a decade ago as a local idea has become a visible example of what communities can achieve when they act together.

Goulburn as co‑operative pioneer

Melina emphasised that the project positions Goulburn within a long and proud tradition of co‑operatives. “The co‑operative movement started with the Rochdale pioneers in 1844,” she said. “You are the Goulburn pioneers.”

She highlighted the achievements of the co‑operative’s members:

starting with no capital
raising millions of dollars in community investment
growing from a handful of members to more than 300
designing and owning a renewable energy asset for the region

“You started with an idea,” she said, “and now you own an energy asset. Your idea was visionary – you were responding to the future crisis a decade ago.”

Part of a global movement of people‑powered enterprise

Melina situated Goulburn within the worldwide co‑operative sector: a movement of 1.2 billion members and more than 3 million co-operatives across the globe. These enterprises deliver shared success, social security, safety and sustainability to 12 per cent of the world’s population, according to the United Nations.

She outlined the breadth of co‑operative leadership internationally:

25 per cent of housing in Vienna, Copenhagen and Zurich is co‑operative
90 per cent of Fairtrade products are grown by farm co-operatives
45 per cent of European banking is provided by co-operatives
the fifth‑largest retailer in the United Kingdom is a co‑op

Co‑operatives are also prominent in insurance, manufacturing, health, aged care, disability services, the arts and sport. With a light touch of humour, Melina noted:

“Yes, you have the same constitution as FC Barcelona.”

A business model gaining global recognition

Melina highlighted growing international recognition of co-operatives as engines of inclusive and sustainable development. The United Nations has declared an International Year of Co-operatives every ten years, with the next in 2035, in recognition of the model’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, including the just transition to a low‑carbon economy.

She pointed to major investment commitments abroad, including the United Kingdom Government’s plan to double the size of the co‑operative and mutual economy. This strategy includes a £1 billion fund for community‑controlled energy – the largest public investment in community energy in British history – aimed at giving communities ownership of their renewable energy future.

Australia’s growing co‑operative energy movement

Melina reaffirmed that Australia has 2,000 co‑operative and mutual enterprises, with eight in ten Australians members of at least one. She pointed out that many well‑known brands are co‑operatives or mutuals, though this is not always visible: NRMA, HCF, Australian Unity, Regional Australia Bank, Bank Australia, Great Southern Bank, CBH Group, Norco, Irrigear Stores and Westfund.

She also noted the emergence of new, community‑led energy models in recent years, including CoPower, Australia’s first co‑operative energy retailer, and the first Indigenous-owned and controlled solar farm in Borroloola, supported by organisations such as Original Power.

Government partnership and future opportunity

Melina thanked the NSW Government for its support of the project and acknowledged MP David Mehan and the NSW Labor Party as strong champions of co-operatives.

She referenced a roundtable held with the NSW Treasurer the previous day, noting growing government interest in supporting co‑operatives and in helping other communities follow Goulburn’s example.

Lighting the way for others

Melina closed her remarks with a message of gratitude and encouragement:

“Every single member here today has contributed to something extraordinary. You have walked together, showing together we are stronger.”

She encouraged the community to continue practising Principle 6 – co‑operation among co‑operatives – by supporting emerging energy co‑operatives across the country, including Hepburn Wind, Pingala and Community Power Agency.

“Because of you,” she said, “the next community will find it much easier. They can be what they can see.”

She ended with a powerful affirmation of community ownership:

“Power to the people – when the people have power.”

“Thank you and congratulations – you are inspiring.”

Read About Regional’s article, “Goulburn Co‑operative leads NSW with community clean energy project”.

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23 March 2026