Centenary Celebration: How Junee’s Co-op supermarket survived a century of change

JUNEE’S supermarket isn’t just where you grab milk and bread — it’s a living piece of the town’s social history. And this week, it turns 100.

On Tuesday, September 30, the town will mark a full century of the Junee District Co-operative Society — better known today as Junee IGA — with an all-day community celebration, complete with birthday bargains, tastings, giveaways, a sausage sizzle, lolly bags for the kids, and a cake-cutting at 10:30am.

But the story behind the candles is what makes this milestone truly special. One hundred years ago, a group of locals made a bold decision that would change the fabric of the town forever.

They weren’t politicians or tycoons. They were everyday workers — mostly railwaymen and farmers — who believed in the radical idea that a community could own its own shop.

And for a century, that idea has endured.

Drawing on a landmark 2006 peer-reviewed study by Dr Nikola Balnave, Localism and Rochdale Co-operation, this feature traces the Co-op’s remarkable journey — from a railway-born storefront to a proud, people-owned supermarket that has outlasted rivals, outlived economic booms and busts, and kept faith in the quiet power of shopping local.

The Foundation Years

Built by the railway, sustained by the district

The roots of the Junee Co-op stretch back to the roaring railway era of the 1920s.

With more than half the town’s workforce employed on the railways and agriculture booming in the surrounding district, the conditions were ripe for something remarkable.

In the early 1900s, Junee’s population was growing fast, fuelled by rail expansion and a thriving agricultural economy.

The town’s main streets bustled with large general stores like J.S. Taylor’s and Keast & Gilpins, alongside local butchers, bakers, blacksmiths, corner stores and garages — a vibrant mix of services meeting the needs of workers and families alike.

In 1907, Junee formed one of New South Wales’ earliest co-ops — the Junee Co-operative Society — which played a key role in founding the NSW Co-operative Wholesale Society (NSW CWS).

That early group operated successfully until tragedy struck in 1910, when its store was destroyed by fire — a common fate in a town with limited water and firefighting resources.

It wasn’t until June 1923, when a group of locals purchased the failing Junee branch of the state-run Railway and Tramways (R&T) Co-operative Society — just months before the wider R&T body went into liquidation — that the organisation we know today was born.

Mostly railwaymen, these residents reopened the Broadway store and began trading under their own banner.

Current ASIC records confirm that the Junee District Co-operative Society Pty Ltd was officially registered on September 30, 1925 — the date it has chosen to celebrate as its centenary.

According to Dr Balnave’s study, the Co-op had around 40 members at the time and returned a surplus of £647 on sales of £12,364. It paid out £14 in interest on capital and £100 in dividends on purchases to members.

But it wasn’t just a new shop — it was a declaration of values: one member, one vote; cash sales at fair prices; pure goods; dividends when surplus allowed (known as “the divvy”); and above all, local ownership and accountability.

The names behind the store’s foundation became part of town folklore, with early activists including Thomas Grimmond, Robert Joyce, Robert Penfold and Alfred Millson.

Grimmond, a leading figure in St Luke’s Church of England, and Joyce, a longstanding ALP councillor, remained involved with the Co-op until their deaths in 1955 and 1956 respectively.

In its early years, the store moved between locations — from Broadway to Main Street — before eventually leasing its Lorne Street premises in 1931.

With strong foundations and a loyal customer base in Junee’s rail and farming communities, the Co-op didn’t just survive — it thrived, even as the Great Depression gripped the nation.

While many co-ops collapsed during the 1930s, Junee’s membership peaked at 144 in 1931, and the Society returned surpluses from 1928 to 1936. For many families, those dividends made the difference between getting by and going without.

Membership quickly expanded beyond railway workers over the decades to include farmers, graziers, small business owners and everyday families — all united by a shared belief in local self-reliance.

An extract from the Co-op’s shareholder register in 1966 shows the Society had 102 members at the time, including 27 railway employees and 18 farmers and graziers.

Other occupations recorded included 20 listed as undertaking home duties, eight retirees, and six business owners or managers — as well as two mechanics, two shop assistants, and two local government employees.

The Co-op’s formation marked the beginning of a century-long pact to keep control of the town’s grocery dollars, jobs and future in Junee hands.

Little Things That Made a Big Difference

A petrol pump — and the largest fridge in town

From the very beginning, the Co-op offered more than just groceries.

It sold kitchenware, hardware and farmers’ supplies; installed a petrol pump at the front of its iconic Lorne Street store in 1933 (which remained in place until the mid-1970s); and introduced the largest refrigerator in town in 1946 to expand its smallgoods range.

In the post-war years, it launched fortnightly pensioner specials on essentials such as flour, potatoes, butter and tea, and rolled out its first free home delivery service.

Customers could place orders from home — either over the phone or through a dedicated “orderman” who would collect shopping lists door-to-door and arrange same-day delivery.

The Co-op’s community spirit extended to town events too.

It won best trade float in the Golden Jubilee Parade of 1936 and proudly carried banners declaring “Buy Locally — Create Employment” during similar processions in the 1940s.

These weren’t just slogans — they were values the town rallied around.

Crisis, Then Reinvention

The post-war pivot that saved the Co-op

By the late 1950s, retail was changing fast — and the Co-op was at risk of falling behind.

Coles opened next door in 1956, introducing fierce competition and aggressively undercutting prices.

Soon after, independents like Slattery’s and Taylor’s rolled out self-service aisles in 1958, revolutionising the shopping experience for a new generation — one that owned cars, kept refrigerators and increasingly valued convenience.

For the first time, customers could select items directly from the shelves, making the trip to the store faster, more efficient and unmistakably modern.

Several forces drove the shift: cars allowed families to stock up; domestic fridges removed the need for daily purchases; and car ownership made nearby Wagga Wagga an appealing retail alternative.

Meanwhile, the Co-op was struggling. Its goods were still being weighed behind the counter, the store’s shelves were dimly lit, and its stock was ageing.

In her 2006 paper, Dr Balnave noted that the store’s manager at the time only turned on the electric lights when a customer entered.

In 1960, a council inspector condemned 70 per cent of the store’s inventory, with some items reportedly dating back before World War II.

The message was clear: modernise or fade.

In September 1962, the Co-op embraced self-service, and the turnaround was immediate.

Membership surged. Losses stopped. Confidence returned.

A Second Act

Growth, grit and smart moves in the modern era

With self-service in place, the Co-op entered a bold new chapter.

It purchased its long-leased Lorne Street site in 1965, and when Coles left town in 1971, it expanded into the adjoining space, cementing its place as Junee’s leading grocer.

Between 1966 and 1971, membership tripled, climbing from 324 to over 1,000. By the late 1970s, annual sales exceeded $1 million — a staggering figure for a community-owned supermarket.

But growth alone wasn’t enough. The Co-op needed to keep pace with changing consumer habits and retail technology — and it did, time and again.

In 1972, the Society acquired a liquor licence from John Meagher & Co. The following year, it expanded further by opening its own delicatessen department.

By 1975, the store had embraced new technology, introducing electronic cash registers and automated ordering systems to streamline operations and reduce staffing costs.

It adopted Bankcard in 1976, enabling card payments for the first time, introduced staff superannuation in 1978, and achieved full computerisation of shareholder accounts by 1979.

But not every venture was a success.

In 1978, the Society launched a bold new initiative — a Food Barn on Lisgar Street — in an effort to diversify operations. However, the store struggled to attract patronage and ultimately competed with the Co-op’s existing location on Lorne Street.

The Food Barn ceased trading in June 1980, and the premises were sold five months later.

Then, in a savvy financial move in 1989, the Co-op transitioned members’ in-house store credit accounts onto personal credit cards — eliminating more than $100,000 in debt virtually overnight.

Remarkably, the shift didn’t cost the business a single customer.

The through-line was clear: adapt early, keep costs tight and protect the member base.

By the early 1990s, the Co-op was no longer just surviving in a changing retail landscape — it was thriving in it. That success was further buoyed by the introduction of scanning checkouts in 1991.

Price Wars

Rivalries, resilience — and butter battles

Behind the scenes, price remained a constant battleground.

From the late 1970s, the Co-op closely tracked its competitors — matching local beer prices from 1978 and scanning Wagga’s Wednesday newspapers to counter the city’s specials.

One tale from Dr Balnave’s 2006 report stands out: the legendary “butter war” with rival store John Meagher & Co.

Both stores repeatedly undercut one another, vying to lure shoppers with ever-lower prices — until the Co-op was reportedly prepared to give the pantry staple away, just to avoid losing customers.

By 1971, both Meagher and Coles had exited the Junee market — and the Co-op stood firm.

Keeping It Local — and Alive

When the town needed it, the Co-op showed up

From the 1980s into the 1990s, the Co-op became more than just a grocer — it became a retail anchor, stepping in to fill the gaps left by departing retailers and safeguard Junee’s economic heart.

When Trims Pty Ltd closed, the Co-op began stocking manchester to ensure locals didn’t have to leave town for everyday essentials.

When Retravision (then operating as Sykes Electronics) began to struggle, the Society purchased the neighbouring store in 1995 and ran it for nine years — even allowing Co-op members to use their shareholder number at the till.

The store was eventually sold in 2004 to a former Co-op employee.

When Westpac shut its local branch, the Co-op stepped in once again, opening a Westpac agency inside its premises in 2000 to ensure residents could still access essential banking services without leaving town.

But it wasn’t just about plugging holes — it was about standing with neighbours.

Rather than compete with the town’s butcher and baker, the Co-op sold their products on commission — supporting local businesses instead of undercutting them.

And when outside hawkers rolled into town, the Co-op lobbied to protect Junee’s main street, keeping dollars and jobs from drifting to bigger centres.

Its slogan was simple, but carried weight:

“Shop Locally — If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It.”

Following the opening of the privately run Junee Correctional Centre in the mid-1990s, the Co-op also began supplying the prison with essential goods including toilet paper, tobacco and canteen stock. W

hile initially successful, the relationship proved unprofitable and was ultimately terminated in 2004.

A Modern Store with Historic Roots

As margins narrowed, the Society paid its final divvy in 1993–94, shifting to member discounts while prioritising long-term sustainability.

When its last competitor, Scotties, closed in 2004, the Co-op became the town’s sole surviving supermarket.

In 2006, it made its biggest move yet — relocating back to Broadway into the larger, modern site it occupies today. The transition was a pre-emptive strike against chain encroachment, and a firm vote for keeping Junee’s retail heart strong.

Over the years, the Co-op has traded under seven different banners, each reflecting a different era in independent grocery retail. Today, it operates as Junee Supa IGA plus Liquor, but remains proudly and wholly owned by its local members.

The Steady Hands Behind the Counter

At a time when most co-operatives have vanished from the Australian retail map, Junee’s has not only survived — it has thrived, thanks in no small part to stable, local leadership.

Founding manager Frederick Schremmer steered the Co-op through multiple financial crises before retiring in 1956. He was briefly succeeded by his son, Toddy Schremmer, that same year.

A respected figure in the district, Schremmer came from a dairy farming family on the outskirts of Wagga Wagga and was retained as an advisor to the board until his passing in 1957.

Subsequent secretary-managers continued this legacy of steady stewardship. Brian Rosengreen (1960–79), Rod Kilby (1980–85), and Ian Cooper (1985–2023) each led with consistency, adaptability and deep community ties.

The board, too, benefited from long-standing directors such as Mrs D. Shaw and Mr L. Shultz, who helped preserve institutional memory through times of great change.

Shaw retired in 2002 after 30 years of service, while Shultz served as a director from November 1972 until his death in October 1999 — including 12 years as chairman between 1984 and 1996.

Today, the Co-op is led by Secretary Manager Shane Willis, who upholds the tradition of strong local leadership. He succeeded Ian Cooper following Cooper’s retirement in 2023 — a milestone that capped nearly 50 years of service to the Co-op, which began in 1974 when he first joined the business as a delivery employee.

A Century Later — Still Ours

After a century and seven different banners, the Junee Co-op continues to trade under the IGA name, but its mission remains the same.

It’s still 100% locally owned and operated by its members, for its members.

It supports the Junee Show, local schools, charities, and countless community groups. It employs locals, gives first jobs to teenagers, and offers a space where neighbours bump into each other in the biscuit aisle.

Through droughts, recessions, and a global pandemic — the Co-op has endured. Not because it had to, but because the people of Junee chose to keep it alive.

The Big Day: Tuesday, September 30

To mark its 100th birthday, the Junee District Co-operative Society is celebrating the only way it knows how: by looking after the community that helped build it.

Around 180 former employees will gather for a special reunion on Saturday, September 27, sharing stories, laughter and memories from across the decades — a testament to the generations who’ve kept the Co-op strong.

Then, on Tuesday, September 30, the official centenary celebrations will take centre stage.

Junee IGA will host a community birthday bash, complete with a sausage sizzle, food tastings, giveaways, lolly bags for the kids, and a ceremonial cake-cutting at 10:30am.

But the biggest moment won’t be the cake. It’ll be the conversations in the aisles, the memories rekindled, and the quiet pride that comes from a century of choosing each other.

In the lead-up to the celebration, the Co-op has also rolled out major storewide specials, slashing prices on dozens of products — with some goods discounted by more than 50 per cent — a fitting nod to its founding promise of fair prices for all.

A Legacy Worth Celebrating

The Junee District Co-operative Society has never been just a shop — it’s a community anchor; a place where dividends once arrived in envelopes, and loyalty still matters more than loyalty cards.

As we mark this 100-year milestone, it’s not just about looking back. It’s about recognising what we’ve kept — and choosing, again, to carry it forward.

Because when a town comes together, owns together and shops together — remarkable things happen.

And now, with 100 candles ready to blow out, the Co-op begins its second century the same way it began the first: Together.

100 YEARS IN 20 MOMENTS

A Century of Local Loyalty — Junee’s Co-op Through the Decades

1923 – The Buyback Begins

Locals purchase the failing Railway & Tramways Co-operative store on Broadway — just months before the parent body collapses — keeping ownership in Junee hands.

1925 – A Society is Born

The Junee District Co-operative Society is formally registered on September 30, 1925. The founding principles: local ownership, fair prices, and “the divvy”.

1931 – A Home on Lorne Street

The Co-op leases its iconic Lorne Street premises, setting down roots that would last nearly 75 years. Membership peaks at 144 during the Great Depression.

1933 – Fill ‘Er Up

A petrol pump is installed at the front of the store — offering fuel to members and passing motorists alike.

1946 – Cold Cuts & Cool Moves

The Co-op introduces Junee’s largest fridge, expanding its range of smallgoods and perishables post-WWII.

1956 – Coles Comes to Town

Coles opens next door, introducing serious price competition and a modern retail model.

1958 – Self-Service Arrives (Next Door)

Slattery’s and Taylor’s introduce self-serve aisles. The Co-op holds out — and soon falls behind.

1960 – Stock Condemned

A council inspection condemns 70% of the store’s inventory — with some items dating back to before WWII. A turning point is needed.

1962 – Aisles, Not Counters

The Co-op finally embraces self-service in September. Membership surges and losses stop. The second act begins.

1965 – Co-op Buys the Building

After more than three decades of leasing, the Society purchases the Lorne Street site, cementing its long-term future.

1971 – Coles & Meagher Exit

Both Coles and Meagher pull out of the Junee market. The Co-op remains and expands into Coles’ former space.

1973 – Deli Department Opens

With cold cuts, cheeses and more, the Co-op introduces its very own delicatessen — expanding both choice and charm.

1978 – Food Barn Falters

A bold move to open a Food Barn on Lisgar Street falls flat. The venture is closed two years later and sold.

1989 – $100K Debt Vanishes

The Society transfers members’ store credit accounts onto personal credit cards — wiping out over $100,000 in store debt overnight, without losing a single customer.

1991 – Say Hello to Scanning

Barcodes arrive! The Co-op installs scanning checkouts, keeping pace with supermarket tech.

1995 – Electronics Next Door

The Society purchases the Retravision next door, running it as until 2004. Shareholders could use their Co-op number at the till. Co-op also introduces Sunday trading.

2000 – Banking on Trust

After Westpac closes its branch, the Co-op opens a Westpac agency inside the store — protecting access to basic banking.

2004 – Last Competitor Closes

Scotties shuts its doors. The Co-op becomes Junee’s sole full-line supermarket.

2006 – Back to Broadway

After decades on Lorne Street, the Co-op relocates to its current Broadway location — a bigger, brighter site ready for the future.

2025 – 100 Years, Still Ours

The Junee Co-op turns 100 — still locally owned, still standing strong, and still choosing community over convenience.