Celebrating half a century

One of Kununurra’s longest standing businesses, Ord River District Co-operative will celebrate its 50th birthday this weekend.

Established on August 23, 1963 its genesis lies in the early pioneering farmers of the Ord valley for the purpose of processing and marketing crops, as well as providing farming inputs for members.

In its early days, the business was located in the town area and acted as a general store, bank and post office agency.

Without internet or television, it provided a link to the outside world and people waited eagerly for mail from loved ones in other regions.

The business was managed by Westfarmers until 1978, when local farmers took the reigns.

Kununurra resident Jim Hughes ran the co-op from 1983 until he passed away unexpectedly in 2008.

After the demise of the cotton industry, the co-operative sought financial assistance from the Government to establish new crops in the area.

The 1990s marked a period of change for the business with different crops and investment taken on.

Grower confidence was high during this time, with farmers investing in the new sugar industry.

Rice was processed for just two years, before maize and chickpeas were produced in 1984.

Melons were exported to Asia and Europe in the early 1990s, while even tomato paste was considered before it was deemed unfeasible.

Now melons, corn, pumpkin, chai and forestry are produced at a large scale.

Current manager David Cross, who has been with the business for 10 years, said the last decade had seen a lot of change for the region.

“We’ve seen a lot of crops start and stop for a number of reasons, but we have seen the co-op strengthen along the way,” he said.

Bothkamp Australia farm owner Gabi Bloecker moved to Kununurra in 1983 with her husband Wilhelm.

“He saw the potential here, the soil, water and sun, and thought this is the place,” she said.

The Ord River District Co-Operative will celebrate 50 years of service this weekend with a special dinner on Saturday night.