IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE…
Will Oui announced as First Nations Programs Lead
Minimum Standards update
Access All Areas
Mental Health First Aid
SXSW Select
This Way Up
Fundraising update
CrewCare Poll
And finally…
This month we announced the appointment of the wonderful Will Oui as our new First Nations Programs Lead, replacing Cerisa Benjamin as of this week.
A proud Meriam man from Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait Islands), Will has strong connections to the Samsep peoples from Erub (Darnley Island).
Having been born, raised and currently living and creating in the Yugambeh language region of the Gold Coast, Will is passionate about diversity and inclusion for all First Nations peoples in all spaces and will be leading our First Nations programs and increasing the uptake of our crisis relief and mental health and wellbeing services amongst First Nations artists managers, crew and music workers.
We’re proud to announce that over 130 organisations who have now signed our Minimum Standards for a Mentally Healthy Music Industry.
We would like to acknowledge our most recent signees All Things Entertainment, Bergy Bandroom, Clifton Productions, Lock and Load, Showcall Crewing, Showtech Australia, Sony Music Australia and ResolutionX.
The standards encourage action to protect, respond, and promote the positive aspects of work that contribute to good mental health. We invite all music industry workplaces and employers to partner with us in this commitment by signing up to our Standards if you haven’t already done so.
Get in early and register now for our free and online active bystander training, Access All Areas: Creating a safe and thriving Music Industry for all at 12pm (AEST) Tuesday 10 October.
Developed in partnership with Music Victoria, this training is designed to educate members of the music workforce in how to actively intervene when witnessing sexual harassment, sexual assault, harassment and bullying.
So far this year, we’ve trained over 180 people across 12 sessions. One music worker said: “I thought it was really useful, relevant, well paced and impactful. I feel like I can put my learnings to use immediately, which isn’t always the case.”
Our free First Nations Mental Health First Aid online training session is also taking place on Tuesday 10 October from 10am-3pm (AEST). There’s only a couple of spots remaining, so get in quick!
This is a nationally-accredited Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid training offered for free to musicians, managers, crew and music workers.
Our upcoming Mental Health First Aid sessions are now fully subscribed, but if you’re interested in any future session you can join the waitlist here or check out crew-specific training here.
We’re thrilled to announce that our Yarning Strong – Songlines: The Intersection of Music, Creativity and Culture panel has been selected for this year’s South x SouthWest (SXSW) event in Sydney from 15-22 October.
This panel will discuss the importance of music, spirituality and creativity in guiding and supporting First Nations peoples and strengthening their ties to land, kin and culture.
Thank you to those who voted for us to take part at SXSW this year and we hope to see you there!
This program is supported by Helping Hands, @JB Hi-Fi’s workplace giving program.
A reminder that THIS WAY UP is available for free to Australian music workers, offering tailored programs for a range of mental health conditions.
THIS WAY UP is Australia’s largest e-health learning platform, offering a range of evidence-based and effective online treatment programs and run by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and researchers based at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUAD), a joint facility of St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of New South Wales.
Use the code TURNITUP when registering for free access.
Thank you to those who have donated generously to Australian music icon Ron S. Peno’s Help A Mate appeal. As Ron embarks on another round of intense treatment, we ask for those who haven’t already to please donate now.
Australian Road Crew Association’s (ARCA’s) latest edition of Desk Tape Series is out now, featuring Zydeco Jump live at North Melbourne Town Hall in 1990. ARCA’s Desk Tape Series raises funds for Support Act’s Roadies Fund, to provide financial, health, counselling and well-being services for roadies and crew in crisis. Listen now.
Our good friends at CrewCare are running a poll to get a clearer picture of what crew (both past and present) are experiencing, their expectations of the organisation and any concerns they may have.
As a thank you, CrewCare is offering a FREE one year membership to all participating crew. Submissions close tonight, so make sure to have your say.
AND FINALLY…
We wanted to share with you a testimonial from a service user who recently reached out to the Wellbeing Helpline:
“I ended up calling the wellbeing line… they were very quick and they’ve been able to set me up with an appointment.
“I’ve found my counsellor to be a great listener, but also has a lot of insight to share guided by his own experience. It’s been great having him as a part of my care team as I’m working towards making a recovery from a severe episode of anxiety and depression.”
If you need help, please reach out and ask for it. There’s no shame, we’re here for you.
