As part of our commitment to co-operative education, Co-operative Development Services arranges tours of Victorian co-operatives for overseas delegations.

CDS gives a presentation on Australian co-operatives and those in the industry of interest to each delegation, and organise visits to relevant co-operatives.

The tours are led by CDS Director Tony Gill, who has over 20 years experience in organising successful tours for government and co-operative delegations from Britain, China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Russia, Slovak Republic, Switzerland and Thailand.

The tours also benefit Australia by raising the profile of the nation's co-operatives and creating opportunities to develop trading relationships with overseas markets.

Recent tours

In recent years, CDS has hosted officials from China who have sought knowledge about Australian co-operatives. CDS has developed good relations with agents accredited with the Chinese government, who have been impressed the professionalism and knowledge of the CDS team.

Delegates from the Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Husbandary Services, Tibet Professional Technology College and the Science and Technology Department of the Tibet Autonomous Region inspect one of Genetics Australia's proven bulls after receiving an overview the services provided by the co-operative. Genetics Australia Co-operative Ltd is the Australian leader in dairy and beef genetic improvement and supplies 60% of the nation's artificial breeding needs.