Co-op News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", Apr/May 2007
Co-op and Club Comings and Goings
By Alan Harrington, Co-op General Manager
It looks like this will be another year of being constantly challenged
by change. Just when you assume that your newsletter editor is there
for life, her circumstances change.
Our editor for over eight years, Ruth Parnell, has found it necessary
to resign due to personal commitments. She has been instrumental in
growing the newsletter from a modest eight-page publication to the 16-pager
it is today, with a circulation of 2,800. She also took over the desktop
publishing from long time member Meg Barrett of Double Take on her untimely
death in July 2002.
In the past few years Ruth has also worked on the development and implementation
of the Co-op’s website – another excellent, professional
and informative arm of Maple Street Co-operative that is currently receiving
in excess of 2,000 hits per month. She developed a number of significant
submissions on behalf of the Co-op and it is a credit to her that she
could do all of this, and do it so well.
Fortunately, Ruth hasn’t severed all ties, as can be seen by her
contributions to this edition. I’m sure she will continue to have
input on those matters that she considers important to Maple Street
Co-operative members as well as continue to compile newsletter back-issue
content for the website.
Of course, Ruth’s departure means an opportunity for someone else,
and the Co-op has been very fortunate to secure the services of member
Leigh Robshaw. Leigh has a lengthy background in the media. She is an
experienced freelance writer, book editor/writer and journalist and
her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Leigh
continues the newsletter’s professionalism and I am confident
(particularly as she was hand-picked by Ruth), that she will bring her
own unique slant to the newsletter, of which this issue is the first.
Raised in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Leigh is passionate about
lifestyles of health and sustainability, having long been an advocate
of natural health and healing methods, organics, yoga and empowering
spiritual traditions. She spent much of her 20s travelling and living
overseas and is happy to have finally settled in Maleny.
In other news, Director and Chair of the Board, Leigh Findlay has also
resigned from her role with the Co-op (see article page 12). As General
Manager, I would like to thank Leigh for her positive input over 10
years into the development and progression of the Co-op. She has seen
it through the substantial co-operative’s legislative and rule
changes of 1997, the development of our corporate governance policy,
and the merger with and the subsequent renovation of The UpFront Club.
she has dealt with many and varied conflicts, been integral to the shop
redevelopment project and been part of the substantial growth of the
Co-op. Leigh brought the traits of analysis, integrity and foresight
to the Board and hence to the Co-op. I thank her wholeheartedly on behalf
of the staff and members.
Another departure (this time from the Club) is apprentice chef Allira
Donovan. I’m sure members are familiar with Allira’s effervescent
and outgoing personality. Allira started work at the Club some 20 months
ago, and a year ago accepted an apprenticeship as a chef. Having completed
the first 12 months, she has decided to move with her family to the
Northern Territory. Allira wants to continue her culinary career by
specialising in bush foods. On behalf of the staff and Directors, I
wish Allira all the best in her new adventures. I know we will miss
her smiling face at the Club and around town.
Although progress has been slower than might be desirable, the redevelopment
of the shop has moved a few steps closer, with more of the council’s
requirements being resolved.
As this newsletter goes to print, a Cardiff air control system is being
installed. This natural cooling system is designed to supplement the
newly installed air-con and will bring energy savings to our operations.
After what seems like an eternity, The UpFront Club now has a brand
new street sign designed by graphic designer Adrian Anderson and painted
by signwriter Hannah Bruzova. I thank both for a job well done –
it is an eye-catcher.
[From "Maple Street Co-op News", Apr/May 2007; published by
The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny,
Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]