A new study from The University of Western Australia highlights how the Quairading Farmers’ Co-operative Company Limited has thrived for more than a century by combining local ownership, strategic management and strong cooperative principles.

The research shows how these factors have enabled the co-operative to deliver lasting economic and social benefits to its community.

The case study research was led by UWA’s Emeritus Professor Tim Mazzarol, Research Fellow Dr Bruce Baskerville, and research assistant Amber van Aurich, in collaboration with the UWA Co-operative Enterprise Research Unit, the Centre for Entrepreneurial Management and Innovation, Co-operatives WA, UWA Business School, The UWA Institute of Agriculture and the Australian Research Council. 

Established in 1916, Quairading Farmers’ Co-operative Company operates the town’s supermarket, leases retail and commercial spaces, and provides employment and essential services to the Shire of Quairading.

The research highlights that a well-managed co-operative can deliver significant economic and social benefits by providing services and employment while maintaining local ownership and control.

Professor Mazzarol said the results provided a model for other regional co-operatives seeking to balance economic performance with social purpose. 

“Quairading Farmers’ Co-operative Company’s enduring success demonstrates that community-owned enterprises can thrive for over a century, providing stability, prosperity, and cohesion in regional Australia,” he said.

The researchers found co-operatives and mutual enterprises must have a clear understanding of their purpose, including their primary economic and social objectives, in order to serve their members and communities effectively.

“Effective governance and management are essential,” Professor Mazzarol said. “Boards should possess strategic and management skills to guide executive teams and ensure the enterprise is run efficiently and prudently.”

The study also found that co-operatives and mutual enterprises should focus on fulfilling member needs rather than competing directly with investor-owned firms, allowing them to pursue their organisational objectives while maintaining stability and relevance.

“Sustainability relies on leaders who understand and embrace cooperative principles, mutuality, and the collective economy,” Professor Mazzarol said. “This ensures that decisions create value for both members and the wider community.”