Historical information

These cards were for use in connection with the Warrnambool Co-Op store. The Warrnambool Co-operative Society Limited was established in 1960 as the Allansford and District Artificial Breeders Co-operative Society Limited to provide herd improvement service to district farmers. In the mid 1970s the Co-Op opened a retail store in Warrnambool in Timor Street and gradually expanded, so that by the late 1990s they had 8000 members and employed 84 full time and 120 casual staff. The Co-Card enabled members to have trading arrangements with 200 other businesses. The Warrnambool Co-Op ceased operations in 2007.

Significance

These cards are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Co-Op, an important business concern in Warrnambool for over 40 years. The owner of the co-cards was Ronald Cumming. He and his wife. Leonie were members of the Historical Society for many years.

Physical description

These are two plasticised cards associated with the Warrnambool Co-Op. One is a Co-Card and the other is a Co-Op Charge Card used to receive discounts at other businesses. Both cards have bar codes. The larger card has a silver-coloured background with green printing and the smaller card is yellow with blue, black and yellow printing.

Inscriptions & markings

Larger card - The Co-Op Co Card, 1204 B, Cumming Ronald J and ML (signed by Leonie Cumming on the back)
Smaller card – The Co-Op Charge Card, 1204AA