Mr. Organ said Victoria Co-op Fisheries Ltd. tries to protect the jobs of many people in the North of Smokey area.

“We have about 150 members. They would be the captains of boats. Each boat would have about three people working on it. We also employ about 40 wharf workers and about 50 people working at the processing plant.”

Decisions at the Co-Op are made by 11 board members. They are elected by fishermen at each port. The board members decide how to spend the Co-Op’s money and what services to give the members. For example, the Co-Op has just bought a $600,000 machine to improve crab processing at the New Haven plant.

“We now have a say in how we sell our fish. We stay in the community. We don’t leave when things get tough like other buyers. And fishermen can trust us. In the past some fish buyers have left without paying the fishermen for their fish.”

Making a Difference

Mr. Organ is also president of the Neil’s Harbour-New Haven Volunteer Fire Department.

“We don’t have good equipment or training, but we have 30 members. All the volunteer fire departments in small communities are struggling, but we feel 400 people need the same protection as 30,000 people in cities such as Sydney.”

Mr. Organ said the work volunteer groups do is important.

“Anybody can make a difference. In our fire department we have one member who is 81 years old. He gives us fund-raising support and wisdom. As long as you are honest with yourself about what you can do, you can make a difference.”