Plans and Transformations Ahead
by Alan Harrington, Co-op Manager

A little while ago I was thinking the usual things about the Co-op – you know, what new lines we should introduce to the shop, a bit of planning for the extensions, what to do over the Christmas/New Year period, how likely it would be for a cyclone to destroy the Woolworths supermarket building, and so on.

I mean, the Co-op has been travelling pretty comfortably with sales increasing, profits up, a wonderful 25th birthday celebration attended by about 200 people, active membership exceeding the 700 mark and growing, the Co-op extensions and renovations being progressed under the expert guidance of directors Marc Kalifa and Al Tudorin, great staff doing a wonderful job, competent, able and innovative directors, a great Board secretary, a dedicated newsletter editor, wonderful members and customers...it just doesn't get any better for a manager. Even celebrities like H. G. Nelson drop into shop!

Suddenly, somebody up there says this comfort zone is not for you, so here is the UpFront Club to take on! Thank you, directors!

Seriously, I completely endorse the decisions made by the Boards of both cooperatives to transfer all of the operations of the UpFront Club to Maple Street Co-operative. I'm looking forward to some very challenging months (definitely not years), but I know it's going to be helped a lot by the UpFront Club co-managers Kelly Robson and Bernie Gilmour.

I think that adding the UpFront Club to the Co-op's functions is a very logical thing to do. Traditionally we have sold the raw materials, so now we can have some extra input into their transformation into something we can eat! The other aspect is to ensure that the social needs of members are met and will continue to be met in the years ahead. There is a more detailed outline of these developments on page 10 of the newsletter.

The Co-op has been fortunate to have the services of two Korean students over the last fortnight. This program is under the auspices of the Gandhi School Australia Internship Program, and our thanks to Steve McLeish for allowing us to participate. Our thanks also to Joong-gyu and Dong-ju for their help in the back room. It has been a delight having them here, and all the staff have enjoyed the experience.

On a tragic note, I express the Co-op's deepest sympathies to Stephen Jones's family and particularly to his friend Emma McDonald on Stephen's untimely passing. Stephen was a valuable member of and contributor to our Maleny community and he will be sadly missed.

I wish all associated with the Co-op a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", December 2005/January 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]