Shadowlands: Adversity as Advantage for CMEs

We started the week on Wednesday, 8 November announcing the Federal Government has adopted all recommendations of the Hammond Review to grow co-ops and mutuals. The press conference took place at CUA’s Burwood branch in Sydney.

Senator Bridget Mckenzie, RHS; Greg Hammond OAM; The Hon. Scott Morrison; Wendy Machin, Chair, COBA; Melina Morrison, CEO, BCCM

Continuing the ‘fine dining’ tradition of the Summit, we kicked off with the annual Taste of Australia Industry dinner on Thursday, 9 November 2017. Inspired by MC Annabel Crabb’s hit show, Kitchen Cabinet, parliamentary colleagues joined Annabel on stage, to celebrate the finest Australian co-operative produce, expertly brought together in a menu created by Stamford Plaza’s executive chef, Gary Stiles.

Back Row L-R: Peter Rutter, Beyond Bank; Wendy Machin, COBA; The Hon Michael McCormack, Minister for Small Business; Sam Andersen, Beyond Bank; Paul Esposito, Independent Liquor Group. Front row L-R: Andy Crane, CBH: Jane Crane, CBH; Annabel Crabb, MC; Melina Morrison, BCCM

Thanks to our dinner sponsor, Beyond Bank

The food was yet again the star of the night!
Thanks to our Produce Sponsors

Annabel Crabb was an expert MC.

Bernard Salt presented on the public’s trust in Australian business and opportunities for co-ops.

“The difference between co-ops and mutuals and the listed shareholder sector is that our prospects are future owners and are treated with respect. And perhaps it’s this loss of recognition and value of relationships and respect that Bernard Salt was commenting on last night when he spoke about the loss of trust in corporate Australia and the opportunity this presents us.”
Peter Lock, CEO, Heritage Bank

The Hon. Michael McCormack, MP, Minister for Small Business gave the keynote address.

The Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh, MP, Shadow Assistant Treasurer, spoke.

“There is no doubt we are in a good space … it’s okay to celebrate this success, but there is much work to do.”

BCCM inaugural Honour Roll for Outstanding Service Inductees
Andrew Crane, Alan Beanland and Kyle Loades

BCCM Hall of Fame Inductees received a handcrafted BCCM pin.

To end the night, the infamous Rum Bar sponsored by ILG

View more images from the night.

Eliza’s Project: Advancing Gender Equality in the CME Sector

We launched the final report of Eliza’s Project, a BCCM research project undertaken by PerCapita, supported by Bank Australia and guided by a working group comprising industry representatives and academics. The project maps gender equality in the CME sector in Australia.

Measuring Mutual Value

BCCM and various CMEs are working with researchers from Monash University on how best to measure Mutual Value (MV). This important project will help CMEs communicate their value to members, helping to foster, maintain and increase member loyalty. We were excited to launch the project at this year’s Summit.

The size of Australia’s Co-operative and Mutual Sector

Professor Morris Altman, Dean & Head, Newcastle Business School

Total co-op value added (GDP) $139,899,068,058

Total co-op GDP as % of Australia’s GDP (2016) 8.3%

Total co-op employees 146,440

COOPs 2.0

Professor Emmanuel Josserand, Director, UTS Centre for Management and Organisation Studies; Associate Professor Sarah Kaine; in collaboration with BCCM

Researching practical strategies, modes of organisation and business models for the co-op movement to embrace disruption for the benefit of society.

The Australian Co-operative History Visual Atlas Project

Funded by Australian Research Council 2017-2019 ($370,000 plus support from Macquarie and Uni of Sydney)

1833-2012. Maps all co-operatives over time and space.

Nick Crofts, President, National Members’ Council, The Co-operative Group; Wally Newman, Chairman, CBH Group; and Max Roberts, Director, Bega Cheese; in a ‘no holds barred’ insiders take on what it takes to survive as a CME in current operating environment. The Co-operative Group (UK) and CBH Group (Aus), the two largest co‑operatives in either country, have recently survived challenges to their co-operative structure whilst Bega Cheese some time ago, took a different path. Nick, Wally and Max candidly discussed ‘near-death’ experiences. Moderated by Michael Janda, Senior Business Reporter, ABC.

“The challenge sessions showed we can’t afford to be complacent, particularly if we are going to take up the opportunity in mega trends and of course the challenge and opportunity in new markets and e-commerce.” Peter Lock

Challenge Breakout 1

Digital Progress – mega trends and opportunities
Faye Lageu, Senior Vice President, Business Intelligence, ICMIF; Andrew Crane, Chair, BCCM; Nick Giurietto, Chief Executive, Australian Digital Commerce Association; moderated by Professor Tony Travaglione, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Business and Law, University of Newcastle

Challenge Breakout 2

Co-operative finance and insurance; and other Ag trends
Bill Wilson, Director, Agribusiness Consulting, Farm Credit Council Services, USA; Fiona Simson, President, National Farmers Federation; moderated by Frank Kelloway, Partner, Deloitte Private.

The Farm Credit System in the USA is an example to be followed. A nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions and specialised service organisations, the Farm Credit System provides more than $304 billion in loans, leases, and related services to farmers and rural cooperatives. Watch video

Mr Wang Hanmin, Vice President, All China Federation of Supply & Marketing Cooperatives, spoke on Accessing Chinese markets: C to C Trade and e-commerce in Asian markets.

 …serving over 20 million farmers! Nearly bigger than our Australian population.

Peter Hunt, Managing Partner, Mutuo (UK) discussed latest developments in reforms to capital markets for mutuals. He looked at current Government interest in enabling capital raising for mutuals in Australia and compared this with similar developments abroad.

Peter Lock, CEO of Platinum Sponsor, Heritage Bank, providing his ’key take-aways’ from the Summit.