Seddon Organic Collective (SOC) history …

Seddon Organic Collective (SOC) history …
SOC evolved from a W(estern)OC AGM in Feb 2008. With a waiting list of keen locals, the idea for a new group was suggested. A working party was established involving Ken Johnson who was on the WOC waiting list. Neesh, a friend of WOCers, joined the working party and became actively involved in assisting the new group to get established.

SOC’s first meeting was held in July 2009 in a lounge room over tea and home baked goods with 11 households in attendance. Word was spread through friends, schools and mothers groups. There were a number of passionate people keen to get SOC established and by September we had an ABN, a name and a logo. During the initial meetings it was decided that SOC would be closely based on the WOC model, keeping their aims and mission statement. By October, 2008 SOC had a bank account, roster and a Google group as a means of communication. Of the original working group, it was amazing to see the strengths and ideas different people bring to the group such as design, banking, organisation, and enthusiasm!

The first box was delivered 7th November, 2008. SOC was at capacity with 25 households and already had a waiting list of about 6 households.

In April 2009 a couple of articles were published in the local paper and The AGE promoting the WOC/SOC model. By this stage SOC had held their first Dry Goods Day with help from WOC. Since then the variety of products being available for Dry Goods has increased including Mt Zero and Tri-Nature products, due to a contact in SOC. We also now get our honey from Lyndon, the local beekeeper and he has now installed hives in a number of SOC gardens. In April 2011 we are trailing our new local organic sourdough bakery The Sourdough Kitchen in Seddon – we like that we are able to support local business (although Purebread bakery’s bread is pretty delish).

During the first 6-12 months the committee and active members were engaged in tweaking the model to suit the 25 household members. Our committee met every month for the first year, and now meets every second month to discuss ideas and logistics and have a cup of tea. Some members discovered that the model was not for them – they were after a service rather than a collect. Others needed to swap their role due to changes in workload/babies/etcetera. It was a big learning curve about how to negotiate the group’s goals and purposes, but it was and continues to be a wonderful journey. The social connectiveness of SOC is vital to its functioning and we try to organise social sorts and events within SOC and the greater organic collectives to foster this important element.

NOC (Newport Organic Collective) evolved from a Newport-residing SOC member in May 2009.

KOG (Kingsville Organic Group) was seeded late 2009 with their first ‘buy’ in July 2010. A YOC meeting was held mid-2010 and we hope to hear from them soon …

SOC continues to flourish and the joy of receiving a fresh box of organic fruit and veggies and bread on the doorstep every week, bought and sought by friends who live close by, is something that can only be experienced! Occasionally lemons or herbs from members’ gardens get shared in the box and during peak fruit season there are many emails floating around sharing fruit for bottling and jamming. Many informal connections have been made within SOC and sharing of skills, knowledge and ideas have evolved. As have friends! The community aspect of SOC is more important than any potato or apple.

SOC is proud to be a grassroots collective and are thankful for the wisdom and original idea from WOC.

NICE NOTE: A number of presentations about the WOC/SOC model have been made as organic collectives have gained momentum. These have included the Sustainable Living Festival (see powerpoint), Maribyrnong Sustainability Forum’s, etcetera. One has resulted in a collaboration between Cultivating Community, Vic Food Relief and Maribyrnong Council utilising the collective model to pick up bulk fresh fruit and veg from Vic Food Relief in Yarraville and deliver to Braybrook Maidstone Neighbourhood House to be sorted into 22 boxes by volunteers for families who experience barriers to fresh fruit and veg. Isn’t that awesome?!

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