Why is co-operative history important?
There is an old but true saying – that those who refuse to learn from the lessons of hisory are doomed to repeat it! But, then, of course it depends on what these lessons are and historians disagree about these lessons. Nonetheless, there is an extensive history of co-operatives and those engaged in the formation of new co-operatives should make an effort to study this experience. The australia.coop web site has published some brief histories on the Co-operative Federation of Victoria Ltd, the Victorian Government’s Co-operative Development Program and the YCW Co-operative Movement. Australian co-operative historian Gary Lewis has also authored significant histories on farmer co-operatives, credit unions and retail co-operatives. Gary Lewis profle Read a review of Gary Lewis’ latest book The Democracy Principle: farmer Co-operatives in Twentieth Century Australia.
