Cooperating to make a better World
- Dr Sarah Ireland
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
Gadigal Country, New South Wales. 14 April, 2025
Over the past few weeks we have immersed ourselves in learning more about the history and values of the global Co-operative movement. It's incredible to realize that the DJÄKMAIRR Co-op Ltd is joining a global family of more than 3 million co-ops driven by values that position people and community above profit.
Photocredit: Sarah Ireland. (L-R) DJÄKMAIRR Co-op Ltd directors Rosemary Gundjarraŋbuy & Helen Guyupul Wunungumurra,
First Nations peoples have not shared equally in the benefits of capitalism and colonial systems. These frameworks have often undermined, rather than supported, First Nations ways of living, working, and caring. In contrast, the cooperative model offers a powerful alternative—one grounded in collective custodianship, cultural values, and community-led decision-making.
Our project proudly embraces this model to create a new, culturally governed and legally compliant way of delivering djäkamirr—Yolŋu-led doula support services. This approach centers Yolŋu women in their pregnancy and reproductive health journeys, restoring autonomy and strengthening intergenerational knowledge sharing and care through cooperation and custodianship.
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of the Cooperative.
Cooperatives are increasingly recognised as powerful approach for sustainable development. Unlike traditional business models, co-ops are owned and driven by their members, with a strong focus on people and community rather than profit.
At their core, cooperatives are about empowering communities to meet their own needs. They operate based on a set of internationally recognised principles that reflect their commitment to fairness, participation, and long-term impact:
Voluntary and Open Membership – Open to all who are willing to accept the responsibilities of membership and support the cooperative's purpose.
Democratic Member Control – Members actively participate in setting the vision and making decisions.
Member Economic Participation – Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the directions and purpose of the cooperative.
Autonomy and Independence – Cooperatives are self-help organisations controlled by their members.
Education, Training, and Information – Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the organisation.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives – Strengthening the movement by working together locally, nationally, and internationally.
Concern for Community – Working for the sustainable development of their communities through approaches driven and approved by their members.
In a world where social and environmental challenges are becoming more complex, co-ops offer a model of resilience and equity—one that puts people first.
Some of the DJÄKAMIRR Co-op Ltd directors, Rosemary Gundjarraŋbuy and Helen Guyupul Wunungumurra, recently travelled to Gadigal Country, Sydney, NSW. The purpose of the trip was to learn from and participate in The Co-op Federation's 2025 Assembly.
Photocredit: Sarah Ireland. (L-R) Rosemary Gundjarraŋbuy, Helen Wunungumurra and Sam Byrne enjoying dinner at Tranby.
Our team was warmly welcomed to Sydney by Sam Byrne from The Co-op Federation and shuttled to an evening event at Tranby Aboriginal Co-op. Tranby provides First Nations training and education and have been operating as an Aboriginal Co-op for 75 years. CEO Dr Belinda Russon shared the history and current vision for Tranby with a tour of their Glebe campus.
Our team was impressed by the campus architecture and thought it's campfire inspired circular classrooms would make wonderful birthing rooms!
The evening concluded with a shared delicious meal inspired by bush food ingredients and the chance to connect with other First Nations Co-ops from around Australia.
Photocredit: Sarah Ireland. Tranby presentation at The Assembly & standing outside the Art Gallery NSW on Gadigal Country, Sydney.
The Co-op Assembly kicked off the next day at the iconic New South Wales Art Gallery and the second day followed at the Teacher's Federation. Rosemary and Helen were proud to discover Yolŋu ceremonial art on display at the Art Gallery and this made the distance between Galiwin'ku and Gadigal Country seem much smaller.
Photocredit: Sarah Ireland. (L-R) Rosemary Gundjarraŋbuy & Helen Wunungumurra connecting with Yolŋu ceremonial art on Gadigal Country.
The Assembly provided opportunities to see the co-op model in action across diverse Industry sectors such as agriculture, housing, banking, power supply, book publishing and intentional communities.
Our team participated in a workshop for worker owned Co-ops, sharing the vision of the DJÄKAMIRR Co-op Ltd and seeing other examples of worker owned co-ops.
Photocredit: Sarah Ireland. (L-R). Rosemary Gundjarraŋbuy & Molly Kendall from The Co-op Federation visiting Coogee Beach & an early start for the trip back home.
While our Co-operating journey has only just begun we are excited to see where it takes us!
Learn more with these links:
The Co-op Federation
Co-op Collogues
Sam Byrne & Molly Kendall from The Co-op Federation
Dr Belinda Russon from Tranby
Exciting!