Capricorn Society has kicked off its celebrations to mark 50 years since the cooperative was first registered

Themed ’50 Years Strong’ the celebration features stories from all different people in the Capricorn community.
Capricorn – Australia and New Zealand’s largest automotive aftermarket member organisation – was formed in 1974 by 17 Golden Fleece service station owners who met at a training session and decided to form a buying group with the common goal of buying cheaper parts.
Now 50 years later, Capricorn has more than 28,000 Members and 2,000 Preferred Suppliers across Australia and New Zealand.
Capricorn Group Chief Executive Officer, David Fraser, says this anniversary pays tribute to everyone who has supported the organisation over the past 50 years.
“50 Years Strong is about our Members, our Preferred Suppliers, our team and everyone in the wider Capricorn community who has been a part of the journey,” David said.
“Capricorn has created a community within the automotive industry that extends beyond business relationships.
“As part of the celebrations, I’ve had the opportunity to reminisce about the good
times, but also the challenges the community has faced.
“It has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the role of Capricorn. We have never lost sight of our purpose, why we exist, why we started.
“We’re here to help and support Members to be stronger businesses, to be more sustainable. The vision of the original 17 remains as Capricorn’s purpose today, a commitment to working together and understanding the benefit of strength in numbers.”
50 Years Strong is all about the people who share this commitment and dedication, from the local mechanic Member to large nation-wide Preferred Suppliers and the employees on the road or in the office.
Capricorn says its success is an achievement for all those in the industry.
You can meet the people who make up Capricorn by exploring its 50 Years Strong stories, which include stories from:
• Frank O’Connor, the inaugural General Manager of Capricorn, was one of the people interviewed as part of the 50 Year Strong celebrations. In his video, Frank tells the story of Capricorn’s humble beginnings.
• Rex Goodchild, a Capricorn Member and Preferred Supplier since 1986, tells Capricorn about how much it means to be part of the Capricorn community
• Stuart Charity, Chief Executive Officer of the AAAA, tells us how Capricorn and the AAAA have spent decades working together to benefit the whole automotive industry.
To find these stories, visit www.cap.coop/50 
Capricorn also invites readers to keep an eye on Facebook and LinkedIn to meet those who make up the Capricorn community and help the company to celebrate 50 Years Strong.

For more information, please visit www.capricorn.coop