Welcome to the first edition of Backstage Pass for 2024! We hope you all had a restful break.
With everyone now back on deck here at Support Act, we’ve started planning for another huge year and can’t wait to share what we have in store with you.
High on the list is our ongoing commitment to working with the music community to ensure that our workplaces are mentally healthy, culturally intelligent and psychologically safe, and ensuring that music workers have access to short term financial support if they are in crisis.
We will continue to provide funeral support so that our friends and colleagues can be farewelled with dignity, and support those older members of our community who struggle to make ends meet once they can no longer work in music.
As always, we remain extremely grateful for the support that we receive from our highly valued donors, sponsors and other supporters.
Best wishes,
Clive Miller
CEO
IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE…
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day Final Update
Gift In Will
Wellbeing Helpline Resources
Fundraising Update
And Finally…
Following our AGM on 11 December 2023, we’re pleased to announce that Leah Flanagan, Kirti Jacobs and Jaime Gough have joined the Support Act Limited Board.
Kirti is the head of People & Culture at APRA AMCOS and Leah is the Director of the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), as well as being a renowned independent songwriter and musician. Leah and Kirti have been appointed as the APRA AMCOS representatives on the board, replacing Jonathan Carter and Millie Millgate.
Jaime is the Managing Director of independent music publisher Concord Music Publishing ANZ, and was appointed as a Music Industry Member to fill the vacancy left by Alethea Beetson, who stepped down having completed two terms as a director.
Karin Lines and John O’Donnell also stepped down having completed their terms.
Co-Chairs Lynne Small and David Albert paid tribute to the outgoing board members and thanked them for their years of service. Each brought much-needed skills and perspectives to the board, and contributed significantly to the growth and development of Support Act over recent years.
They also expressed their excitement at welcoming our newest board members, who bring fresh perspectives as part of the board’s commitment to renewal and change. You can see the full list of directors on our website.
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day 2023 was a record-breaking year with over $800,000 now raised for the campaign thanks to the 686 individual fundraisers, 162 teams and our incredibly generous corporate donors.
A special thank you to Carlton United Breweries ‘Liv Loud’ initiative, Australian Licensed Hotel’s ‘Live At Your Local’, JB Hi-Fi, ALWAYS LIVE, Artist First merch, Hindley St Music Hall and Ticketek who helped tip us over the $800,000 mark with their incredible support for the 2023 campaign. These funds will help provide much-needed crisis relief and mental health and wellbeing support to music workers in need.
A huge thank you again to our major partners AAMI, ARIA, Triple J, Heaps Normal and Gildan Brands for their support throughout the campaign. We’re already planning for this year’s event, which we hope will build on the success of last year’s stellar achievements. Pre-registrations for 2024 will open soon, so watch this space!
We’re able to do the work we do, providing essential support to all music workers doing it tough, thanks to the generosity of our wonderful supporters.
Some of our supporters recognise that an additional and very powerful way to help is by leaving a gift to Support Act in their will. These incredibly thoughtful gifts help us keep the music playing for years to come.
We know that starting a will can be daunting and something many of us never get around to doing, so we’ve partnered with leading Australian online will-writing platform, Gathered Here, to guide you through the process and offer a free will with unlimited updates for life.
Even if you’re not yet ready to commit to a charitable gift, take advantage of this opportunity to complete your will for free!
Looking for some materials to help spread the good word about our Wellbeing Helpline in your workplace or venue? We’ve got you covered with some brand new posters available to download now from our website. You’ll also find additional social media tiles and general banners and assets that you can use to spread the word.
The new year can be a tough time for many, so no matter how big or small your issue is, please don’t hesitate to give the Helpline a call on 1800 959 500. Remember, you don’t have to be in crisis to call the Helpline, sometimes you just need to talk it out.
Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA) has released the 37th edition of its Desk Tape Series with Anne Kirkpatrick and Alan Bowles featuring HOTSPUR live at Pier Hotel Frankston, 1987. The Desk Tape series raised funds for the Support Act Roadies Fund. Listen now here.
Check out this debut release from Sanctuary Records by 3 Aztecs & A Chain – Drin’in Doubles Causin’ Trouble. The band comprises three former members of Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs – Warren, Paul Wheeler and Gil Matthews – and Chain guitarist Phil Manning. All proceeds made from the album will be going to the Support Act Roadies Fund.
AND FINALLY…
We wanted to share this testimonial from one of our service users who recently received a Crisis Relief Grant:
“I have been extremely lucky to be a recipient of a Crisis Relief Grant from Support Act. At the end of 2023 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease which stopped me being able to work. Support Act helped pay for my medical bills, medication and psychology sessions.
“I was in a really tough place mentally and physically and couldn’t really see a way out and a way to pay for everything I needed for my health – that all changed when I reached out to Support Act and spoke to Willem.
“Not only did he have so much compassion, patience and empathy, which when you are sick goes a really long way, but he also listened and did everything he could to help me feel supported in such a difficult time.
“I can’t thank the team at Support Act enough, including Willem and Jim, for helping me get help I needed for my disease. What an amazing service to have for artists!
“Thank you.”
Aimès – Musician
If you need help, please reach out and ask for it. There’s no shame in it and we are here for you. To find out more about how we can help, visit the Get Help page on the website.
Support Act acknowledges and pays its respects to First Nations peoples and recognises the role of intergenerational song practitioners in establishing the rich and diverse music practices that exist today.
