Comings and Goings at the Co-op
by Alan Harrington, Co-op Manager

In recent times, the significant changes at Maple Street Co-op relate to people. First, I would like to welcome our two new staff members, Janelle Leong and Charlie Knoles.

Janelle Leong, along with her family, has been living in the Maleny area for quite some time. She has been involved in administration with the Booroobin Sudbury Democratic Centre of Learning for the past five years. She loves being part of a working community with shared values and ideals. Janelle has a background in the hospitality industry and has a keen interest in alternative therapies, health and well-being. Her interests include jewellery-making, writing, camping and bushwalking, astronomy and philosophy. Janelle was keen to "join a business that operates with the understanding that, together, more can be achieved".

Charlie Knoles, who's relatively new to Maleny, brings a little more of that good ol' male energy to the Co-op [Alan wouldn't be biased, now, would he? Ed.]. He has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology and Sustainable Agriculture. He applied for the position at the Co-op because he regards it as an organisation that shares his goal of steering our society towards social justice, world peace and ecological balance. Charlie spent many years in the USA where he was involved in growing and selling organic produce, participating in a variety of projects including community supported agriculture and environmental rehabilitation, and trying to keep Hawaii GMO-free. Charlie's interests include musical performance and ethnomusicology, especially regarding folk and indigenous music of Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Members, please feel free to introduce yourselves to Janelle and Charlie next time you are in the Co-op.

After eight years as a director, Al Tudorin has reluctantly resigned due to family and work commitments that have taken him away from Maleny. Al has been a very valuable and significant contributor to the progress and development of the Maple Street Co-operative over these past years. His special interest has been the renovations and extensions, and his last duty as a director was to sign off on the final plans for our very important renovations. (By the way, these are about to go to Council for approval.) On behalf of staff and directors, I would like to thank Al for his input and dedication to the Co-op over the years and wish him well for the future.

I'm sure members have noted all the great articles that appear in our newsletter. While Ruth Parnell does a professional job in bringing it all together with editing, desktop publishing and some writing, the majority of the articles are researched and written by staffers and members in their own time and for no recompense. I'd particularly like to thank Lori Sturtz (her in-depth research often leads to changes in the Co-op's product lines, and she's an indefatigable photographer), Rod Castle, Mary Meadows, Sue Verstraten, long-time member/astro-guru Richard Giles, and health consultant Kathryn Alexander and, of recent editions, her sidekick strategist Stephen Alexander. [Special thanks to Alan for all his contributions on Co-op/Club news and our product ranges. Ed.]

Just a note on memberships...

The Board has decided that all financial members of The UpFront Club will be deemed to be members of Maple Street Co-operative. Similarly, all financial members of the Co-op are deemed to be members of the Club.

This means that financial members can enjoy the discounts applicable to both co-operatives. If you are not financial, please see the staff (or me), who will tell you what you have to do next.

It is intended that all members will be put on the same footing with a $25 share and an $11 annual subscription fee.

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", April/May 2006; 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]