The international Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC) has produced an infograpic that shows how co-operatives are connecting with the digital economy.

PCC say that "the Internet can be owned and governed differently."

"The cooperative platform ecosystem ranges from alternative financing models, labor brokerages for nurses, massage therapists, and cleaners, to cooperatively owned online marketplaces, and data-protection platforms for patients."

Phillip Schmaal, who has 10 years experience in the aged care sector as chair of Barossa Village, believes that the co-op model can provide solutions for provision of aged care in rural Australia.

Mr Schmaal is also chair of BCCM member the Barossa Co-op.

“In the aged care context member organisations would retain the advantages of being autonomous and would remain independently owned by their local communities but would also further benefit from being part of a larger co-operative structure whereby the costs of services could be shared and absorbed across a larger base,” Mr Schmaal told Australian Ageing Agenda. 

Mr Schmaal will present a workshop on mutual care services for the Aged & Community Services Australia National Summit in Cairns on 12 September.

Northern Rivers dairy co-op Norco has announced $25 million of investment in its ice-cream operations at Lismore over the next three years.

Norco CEO Brett Kelly said that "these investments will take us to the next level of creating better technical efficiencies and growing business volume."

Formed in 1895, the co-operative is the largest contract ice-cream packer for Australian supermarkets. 

Outgoing CBH Group CEO Dr Andrew Crane has affirmed that the co-op model is "crucial to delivering value to growers."

Mr Crane, who will also be stepping down as BCCM Chairman, has led Australia's largest co-op for nine years. 

Mr Crane told the West Australian that his proudest achievements at the co-op were: promoting the co-operative’s economic and social goals, improving the supply chain, speaking up for the grain industry and agricultural sector, and improving safety.

CEO-elect Jimmy Wilson, who was head of BHP's Iron Ore division, will take the reins from 1 October.

The Senate Economics References Committee has released the report from its inquiry into Australia's dairy industry.

The inquiry was triggered primarily by the price clawback at Murray Goulburn and Fonterra in 2016 but considered broader local and global trends in the dairy industry.

The BCCM is pleased that the report recognised that an enabling policy environment for the co-operative model is important for a sustainable dairy industry.

C4CE Community Energy webinars, every Tuesday evening from 5 September

2017 BCCM Leaders’ Summit & Industry Dinner, 9-10 November, Brisbane 

For all the latest news from the co-operative and mutual sector, please visit the BCCM website and for information on how to run and set up a co-operative, visit Get Mutual.