OUR JOURNEY

spacerThe Centre was founded in 1990 to provide education and training for co-operatives. Over time, we have evolved in response to emerging needs and opportunities, influenced by our growing knowledgebase and by the skills and interests of our people.
  • A look at the theme of ownership which connects our work
  • How we decided on our name and what it means
  • Our approach to the people we work with
  • Our key strengths
  • Central to the work the Mercury Centre are our values

WHAT WE DO

spacerThe Mercury Centre specialises in building collaborative enterprises through consultancy, research, information, advice and training. Our activity areas are:

We act as “ownership architects” and help people and organisations move from concept to implementation. We provide a range of services including ownership planning, community buyouts, business succession and employee ownership.

We work with boards and management to deliver practical governance solutions.
Our approach to the people we work with

We work with communities to develop economic sustainability at a local level.

RESOURCES

spacerThe resources area of our website provides range of information sheets, publications and links which we hope will be useful in helping people understand and learn about for our interest areas.
  • Includes ownership planning, community buyouts, business succession and employee ownership.
  • For boards and management.
  • For new and existing co-operatives.
  • Local communities and economic sustainability.

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE

spacerFrom our work we believe we have gained insight into a number of matters and wish to share our view with visitors to this site
  • Examining economic empowerment and the building of social capital

COMMUNITY LINKS

spacerThe Mercury Centre supports the following community activities:
spacerAn Institute dedicated to the Cultural Commons
Web pages about a two day symposium with the themes Affordable Housing - Sustainable Communities which was held in Petersham Town Hall, Sydney 13-14 February 2008
 
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Community Economic Development

Community economic development describes the way local communities are making decisions collectively. It is a process that develops economic sustainability at a local level.

By developing practical and realistic strategies to embrace opportunities and accept challenges, a community can stimulate economic activity which will create wealth and enhance the quality of life of its residents.

Community economic development is a process of individual and collective effort that builds on existing links and networks to create opportunities for better economic outcomes.

Drawing on its work in Corporate Governance, Co-operative Development and Ownership Strategies, we can assist communities to create a community-owned and operated resource that is creative, flexible and sustainable, and has the potential to bring about a better future.

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Resources



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CED Action Strategies

Community Economic Development Action Strategies. This article looks at sustainable economic development action strategies based on a framework of six broad and inter-related approaches to local business, local economy and community capacity building.
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Effective Economic Development

Effective Economic Development  - What makes it happen?. Key ingredients against which all communities can evaluate themselves and prepare for economic development. (Our thanks to Community Builders NSW for this information).
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Community Enterprise Ownership

The edited text and associated slides of a presentation by Peter Gates, Chief Executive of The Mercury Centre, to the Annual Conference of Monash University’s Institute for Regional Studies in October 2006. The title of the conference was ‘Owning Your Future: small towns and community assets’.

 

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Link to website Community Enterprise Connections - A website maintained by The Brotherhood of St Laurence Community Enterprise Development Initiative providing news, free downloadable resources (Community Enterprise Resource Manual, including Introduction Booklet, Workbook and DVD Case studies), links and points of contact to support and network people involved in the development and establishment of community enterprises.

 

 


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