Three young women from regional NSW will join celebrity supporters like Hugh Jackman, Maggie Beer and Peter Russell-Clarke in promoting the power of co-operative business. The trio will attend Australia’s first national youth summit for co-operatives held during the International Year of Co-operatives National Conference in Port Macquarie on October 24-26.
Myee Gregory, Rachel Price and Sarah Taylor,will be supported to attend the global event by Community Mutual Group (CMG), Australia’s largest inland credit union.
“These young women have been selected for putting co-operative principles into action, and for their positive contributions toward economic and social benefits in regional communities. We are excited by the knowledge they will gain from world leaders at the conference, and their contributions toward how CMG can engage with youth about the benefits of mutual banking in our regions,” said Kevin Dupe, group CEO.
All three women are actively committed to socially responsible business models. Sarah Taylor is helping women in Nepal develop a paper making trade. She ethically distributes the products in Australia through her small business, White Circles. Myee Gregory produced a documentary about the Nepalese enterprise, and has raised awareness about the success of co-operatives through social media. Rachel Price is actively involved in Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), which is engaged in a number of social enterprises, including teaching financial literacy skills to Aboriginal children.
Sarah Taylor is also in the running to win the 2012 Future Leaders Award, recognising the rising stars of co-operative business. The winner of the 2012 Future Leaders Award, supported by The University Cooperative Bookshop, will be announced on October 25 on the closing night of the conference, and will become the Australian Youth Co-operative Ambassador for 2012/2013. Their role will be to encourage and engage other young Australians to support the growth of co-operatives.
Actor Hugh Jackman, a supporter of the International Year of Co-operatives said, “Co-ops are a hand up, not a hand out, restoring people’s dignity by giving them the economic model to improve their lives… In 2012, I hope everyone comes to better understand the transforming power of co-operatives all over the world, including Australia.”
