Dispatches from the Club and Shop Fronts
by Alan Harrington, Co-op Manager

It is now seven months since the "Transfer of Engagement" that resulted in The UpFront Club becoming part of the operations of Maple Street Co-operative. These last seven months have certainly proved a real challenge for both staff and directors, but I hope that members can see and enjoy the very positive changes that have occurred.

So far, these changes are mainly of the "physical" type, with the introduction of "new" modern equipment (often prudently sourced second-hand by operations manager Kelly Robson) and seasonal menu revisions to keep our taste buds tempted. The "takeaway" part of the Club's operations is also increasing in patronage and is providing a very appetising and inexpensive means of putting an interesting evening meal on your own dining room table without any real effort on your part. I urge members to try this service.

Of course, the really big news is that The UpFront Club renovations are underway and, as I write this piece, should be completed by early June. They are being carried out by builder Paul Maltby. These renovations are extensive, as they involve the relocation of the cool room, significant changes in the kitchen and bar areas to improve service and efficiency, repairs to the flooring, refitting of the stage and creation of a new stage area, complete revamping of the furniture and a general redecorating job. One key aspect of the renovations is the building of a gutter alongside the canopy roof in the side alley. Short of a storm blowing in rain horizontally, this very popular outdoor eating area should remain waterproof. By the way, the renovations are budgeted for $55,000 and, to date, look like coming in a little under that figure.

The Co-op (as suggested at the Club's Special General Meeting late last year) is calling for submissions on whether the Club's trading name, The UpFront Club, should be changed or retained. Members are encouraged to have their say on this [see separate item in Co-op News section].

Trading and stocktaking

On the Maple Street Co-op front, it's now been a little over two months since the Woolworths opening on 3 April. I'm happy to report that if Woolworths is affecting us, we don't know about it! Our trading has been excellent, and we will continue to ensure that your Co-op stays proactive in providing members with the kinds of goods and services they want.

Plans for renovations of the Co-op are still on course but, because the renovations are major, this means meeting council requirements as well as fitting in with the proposed streetscape, so there's been a delay while we get everything "just right".

Our stocktake is scheduled for Friday 30 June, commencing at 6.00 pm, and we would appreciate having a few volunteers to help. It should only take two hours, and refreshments will be provided once we've finished. Participants usually find that they get to know a few more people when they assist in a stocktake. Anyone who's interested, please advise me or staff at the counter.

Petitions and a competition

I'm sure members have seen and signed various petitions set up outside the Co-op from time to time. No doubt members often wonder (as I do) what happens to these petitions. I decided to do a survey of the most recent and the results are quite pleasing. The "Make Queensland GM-Free" petition was signed by 126 people, while the "Support Global Ban on Terminator (suicide seed) Technology" petition has had 184 signatures to date. Signed petitions are forwarded to the originators either according to the due date or when substantial numbers of pages have been filled with signatures. Your Co-op reserves the right to reject petitions, and agrees to promote those that highlight issues we are concerned about – particularly issues that relate to our and our children's health and wellbeing. We encourage members to read and sign these petitions. The current petition is about opposing the proposal to dam the Mary River, and I urge members who are concerned about this very important matter to sign the petition.

Members are also encouraged to participate in the proposed logo change for Maple Street Co-operative. This has been an issue that has been discussed at Board level for as long as I have been associated with the Co-op. Directors have decided (quite rightly, too) to open it up to member input. So, have some fun and use your graphic art skills to create a logo that best epitomises the values and practices of Maple Street Co-operative. To demonstrate the benign face of "capitalism Co-op style", the winner will receive a $200 cash prize. Details of this competition are outlined separately [see Co-op News section].

In closing, I should mention that Mike Eales, who has had to travel regularly to Maleny from his Buderim base, resigned from the Board in May. Mike filled a casual vacancy as a director last December, and his financial and economic expertise was welcomed. On behalf of the directors, I thank Mike for his contribution to the Co-op Board's activities.

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", June/July 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]