Assembly 2025 - International Year of Co-operatives

Join Australian co-operatives in celebrating the UN's International Year of Co-operatives (IYC2025), themed “Co-operatives Build a Better World.” This event showcases how co-ops advance sustainable development and tackle global challenges. This event will bring together co-operatives from across Australia and welcome the public to attend and celebrate the power of co-ops to solve global problems through a fairer and more equitable business model.

Thursday - The Art Gallery of NSW (Meers Hall) 9.00 am - 4 pm

Featuring key themes and topics showcasing co-ops' impact:

• Opening Panel: Building a Better Australia Through Co-ops
• The State of Australian Co-operatives
• The Great Debate: Can Co-operatives Build a Better Australia Today?
• Co-operative Housing: Solving Australia’s Housing Crisis
• Marketing the Co-op Advantage

Keynote Speakers & Panels: Featuring co-op leaders, experts and politicians, including so far:

• Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP (Federal Assistant Minister)
• Cathy Main (CEO, Barossa Co-op, SA)
• Liz Thomas (Chair, Australian Housing Co-operative Alliance)
• Christian Johansson (Chief Marketing Officer, Beyond Bank)
• Greg Patmore (Emeritus Professor, University of Sydney)
• Jess Scully (Author & former Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney)
• Steve Anthony, Director, Supporting Independent Living Co-op
• Kylie Flament, CEO, SECNA
• Belinda Russon, CEO, Tranby Aboriginal Co-op
• Ben Davis, CEO, Yolla Producers Co-op
• Carolyn Suggate, Director, ORICoop (Organic & Regenerative Investment Co-op)
• Nathan MacPhee, Director, Invest in Farming Co-op
• Dr. Jarra Hicks (or alternate), Director, Community Power Agency Co-op
• Tom Reddington, National Director, CoPower (Co-operative Power Australia)
• Charlotte Fogerty-Henderson, Shop Manager, Maple Street Co-op
• Jane Tyler, Chair, Manly Food Co-op
• Caresse Cranwell, Director, Wicked Elephants Co-op
• Percolab Coop, leading a workshop on shared leadership in co-ops

Click Here to See the Speakers 

Click Here to See the Full Program

Networking drinks on Thursday at 6pm 
Will take place at the Day Two venue in Surry Hills. Enjoy a co-operatively brewed beer from Hopsters Co-op Brewery and some dulcit live guitar music from our member, Lane Cove Music Education Co-op, and delicious catering from local Estonian Co-operative. Networking drinks are included in conference registration, so enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to connect with conference attendees.


Friday - The Teachers Federation Conference Centre (Surry Hills) 9 am - 4 pm 
Day 2 is a member-led, interactive 'un-conference' designed for practical, in-depth exploration of topics relevant to co-ops in the International Year. The day features workshops and discussions on sustainable food systems, co-op housing, agricultural supplies, Indigenous enterprise, regenerative co-ops, food co-ops, arts co-ops, worker co-ops, housing co-ops, collaborative leadership, and capital raising. It concludes with a plenary session reflecting on outcomes and the role of youth in shaping the co-operative movement.

Tickets & Subsidies

• Youth Tickets 1/2 Price 

Young people will shape the future of co-ops - and we want them in the room! If you're under 30 and co-op curious, you can attend the Assembly for half price. All we ask in return is that you participate in our youth panel presentation at the conclusion of day two. It will be an inspiring and valuable two-day experience of learning, networking, and co-operative connections. To secure the discount code, just email Molly at molly@fed.coop

Discounts: Member price is available for The Co-op Federationn members and their members

Subsidised Tickets: Apply by email for financial assistance to attend

📧 Contact: Peter Tregilgas at peter@fed.coop | 📞 0400 191 054

The Co-op Federation is bringing co-operators together to celebrate co-ops and build a better world!

Friday (Day 2) will be held at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre. Address: 37 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills.