HISTORY OF THE CO-OPERATIVE

21st October 1917 – A public meeting of local fruit growers is held at the Mount Barker Hall. The meeting is chaired by Mr J Martin, and Mr A Booth acted as secretary. Mr Andrewartha proposes a society be formed, to be known as ‘The Mount Barker Cool Storage Co-operative Society’. Mr Wright seconds this and the motion is carried. During this meeting, promises of ₤2152 s10 are received for the purpose of building a cool store.

The first AGM is held on 8th November 1917 and the proposed ‘Articles of Association’ are tabled and agreed to. The following Directors are voted in: Mr J Martin (Chairman), Mr H Robinson (Vice Chairman), Mr A Booth (Secretary) Mr J Steicke, Mr J Enright, Mr E Thomas and Mr H Sounness.

The new Co-operative was incorporated 1st May 1918 and the ‘packing and cool shed’ was officially opened 1st June 1918 by the Governor, Sir William Ellison-Macartney. 21st September 1937 the name is changed to “Mount Barker Co-operative Limited” (MBC). It has 75 shareholders and a paid-up capital of ₤5051.50.

MBC grew quickly, in extension to the fruit packing services MBC became a local commercial agent for farming equipment and by purchasing the ‘Mount Barker Stores Limited’ entered the retail market, providing groceries, clothing and household goods for the local community. An alliance with Wesfarmers opened the export market for local growers and co-ordinated markets within WA. In 1929, a joint venture was undertaken with the Plantagenet Roads Board. MBC installed a plant to generate electricity for the town. This arrangement continued until 1951 when the state electricity took over.

Throughout the Depression, MBC provided the local farming community critical support to continue economic and social activities by providing extensions of credit to a range of producers and consumers. As such, MBC continued to grow and in 1939 an extension to their packing sheds made them the owners of the largest cool stores in Australia with established export markets in Europe, UK, Far East and new markets opening in Asia.

In 1942, the Federal Government introduced a scheme for the compulsory acquisition of apples and pears. Cold store No 2 was built. The Federal Government also requested and underwrote the building of a Dehydration plant, supplying apples for distribution to its troops and for local sale. This plant was recognised as the most profitable in the Commonwealth. Mr HW Soothill was seconded to the “Australian Apple and Pear Marketing Board” as Deputy Chairman – a testament to his abilities and expertise in the industry.