In 1944, due to shortages created by World War II. J.L. Hirst, R.W. Nobelius, H.R. Wardle, H. Wise and J. Eudey came together to form the first co-op in Emerald to evenly distribute provisions to help those in the community, which is still standing today.The Emerald Co-Op has huge historical and social significance for the town of Emerald as it changed the way the community worked by coming together to help the townsfolk for common benefit, that is still seen today. In 1944 Emerald like the rest of Australia was affected by the war and provisions for farmers were low, so the co-op was founded by several local members of the community as a way for the town of Emerald to come together to lend a hand to one another and share needed provisions, which has been seen throughout Australian history known as the "Australian Spirit."Black and white rectangular photograph showing the Emerald Co-op printed on matte photographic paper. The black and white photograph shows the Emerald Co-op Hardware Produce & Fodder Real Estate Agents store at 315 Main St, Emerald, which was founded in 1944 due to shortages created by World War II. J.L. Hirst, R.W. Nobelius, H.R. Wardle, H. Wise and J. Eudey came together to form the first co-op to help those in need, which is still standing today.Obverse: Emerald Co-op / Emerald Co-op Hardware Produce & Fodder Real Estate Agents / Butcher /emerald and district co-operative society, community, world war two, farming, emerald, victoria, australia

A history of the first sixty years of the Emerald and District Co-operative Society, written by Jo Jenkinson, Emerald Museum, at the invitation of Paul Frisk, Chairman of Directors. Based on new bulletins issued by the Co-op, minutes of Directors' meetings and AGMs, and personal memories of former employees of the Co-op. The Co-op was founded by farmers in the Emerald district in 1944-45, and had an important influence on farming and general development in the district in itsw early years. It subsequently became the major hardware supplier in Emerald, first under the Homestead Hardware chain, and later under the Mitre Ten umbrelloa.40 page soft cover booklet with black and white and coloured photographsr.w. nobelius, malco boyce, des love, mary a'vard, george a'vard, jean lehmann, charlie smith, patrick burns, fraser williams, george williams, jack hirst, emerald, victoria, australia horace wardle, harry wise, jack eudey, james mcconnachie, emerald and district co-operative society, resident action, town planning, farms, real estate agencies, businesses