History

It started with Apples

 

The Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd has played an inspirational role in the State’s economy. It has been outward looking in seeking new opportunities and partnerships yet fiercely protective of its shareholders; the district’s community.

In the early 1900s forming co-operative was hailed as the primary producer’s answer to the man challenges they faced marketing their produce. In Western Australia, rural production had greatly increased after the gold rushes and construction of the railways. The healthy surpluses of the time needed to be sold.

After years of backbreaking labour preparing their land, primary producers looked to lucrative overseas markets. However, the export trade was dominated by middle-men who took much of the profit. To protect their own interests, primary producers were strongly advised to organise themselves.

This is exactly what the orchardists of Mount Barker did and the formation of the Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd was a direct result of their actions.

The Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd’s fortunes have been inexorably tied to those of the township of Mount Barker and the surrounding regions since the company’s foundation in 1918.

As a co-operative, its customers are its owners. Millions of dollars have circulated in the region through shareholder’s dividends, trading bonuses, employment and traineeships and in building the town’s social and physical infrastructure.

Millions of dollars which could have been spent outside the region have remained in the area to enhance the economic, social and cultural fabric of the community.

The services it provides have always been determined by the needs of its shareholders.

While the Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd has constantly evolved in order to meet these needs through a range of changing economic environments, it has always maintained its strong co-operative traditions.

The Mount Barker Co-operative ltd stands today – and will stand tomorrow – as a fine example of the responsible management, diligence and prudence that allow it to continue to adhere to the tenets of the co-operative movement that it embraced over a century ago.

For a more detailed history of the Mount Barker Co-operative Ltd grab a copy of “It all started with Apples” available from the Administration Office.

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