SUPPORTING OUR INDUSTRY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
The past few weeks have been some of the most difficult of the pandemic yet, as the music industry grapples with the impact of the current lockdowns and the implications for the future. Our hearts go out to everyone across the country who has been affected by the latest restrictions, cancellations and venue closures.
Requests for crisis relief have continued to surge, with 2,000 applications received in July and $1.8m distributed in grant payments. Total distributions since the introduction of MusicKeeper and CrewKeeper in March are now $5.7m.
In response to the growing demand, we’ve hired additional social workers to ensure that applications can be processed as quickly as possible.
Please continue to spread the word and encourage anyone in your networks who is in need to visit the Get Help page on our website and apply.
Our sincere thanks as always to the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts, and to all our donors and sponsors, for your financial support for our crisis relief program.
NEW DATE FOR HEAD FIRST CONFERENCE
Like so many other events, our inaugural Head First conference about mental health and wellbeing has been postponed. The new date is Thursday 7 October 2021.
The conference will still be held at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) in Surry Hills from 9am-5pm, followed by performances and networking.
It will feature a star-studded line-up of artists and industry heavyweights including Ziggy Ramo, Joel Birch, Cath Haridy, Tony Moran, Sally-Anne Gross, Nathan Cavaleri and more, to be opened by the Hon David Coleman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
A huge thank you to our sponsors the Australian Government, NSW Government, AIM, Heaps Normal and The Industry Observer for helping to make it all happen.
The event is open to anyone in the industry with the aim of giving you a new understanding of the mental health challenges facing us today and the tools to be able to put your wellbeing first.
Tickets are $39 inc. refreshments and reception. Find out more and get tickets here.
ON MY MIND – MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
Our On My Mind online mental health series is providing much-needed support in these trying times.
This month we hosted our first On My Mind – Yarning Strong workshop, featuring artists Uncle Kutcha Edwards and JK-47.
The session focussed on First Nations mental health and what it looks like in the music industry; how music heals and is an expression of storytelling that has been passed down for generations; and why it’s important for the industry to create a culturally safe space for First Nations artists, artist managers, crew and music workers to express themselves and their history.
The full session is available to watch now here and further On My Mind – Yarning Strong events will be announced shortly.
Coming up next month on Friday 13 August is Why Can’t Everyone Get Along?: Managing Relationships & Conflict Resolution.
Hosted by triple j’s Bridget Hustwaite with mental health practitioner Ash King and Unified’s Caleb Williams, the industry panel will explore the importance of connection, the difficulties of getting along with (some) people and how we can better manage our relationships. Register here.
WHERE’S YOUR HEAD AT?
For the next few weeks, we’ll be running daily mental health check-ins at 1pm on Instagram (Monday to Friday) with mental health practitioners Ash King and Kamran Ahmed.
Tune in for mental wellbeing updates, mindfulness and coping strategies, and ask questions in real time to help you learn how to sit with challenging feelings and be kind to your mind. Follow us here.
A reminder that our Mental Health First Aid training is still running and we’re committed to training 1,000 artists and music workers by the end of 2021.
Mental Health First Aid is the nationally accredited training for individuals and teams to be able to effectively respond to mental health issues. Register here.
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER – CITY FLAT
Boom Crash Opera keyboardist and designer of the band’s cover art, Greg O’Connor, has created a limited edition of silkscreen prints of the cover artwork for “City Flat“, the first single release from the band’s debut album in 1987.
Just 30 prints are available in the original five colour schemes, handprinted on 300 gsm, acid-free, 100% cotton-rag, Somerset Velvet White fine art museum grade paper. Each print is signed and numbered and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Greg is generously donating the profits from the sale of these prints to Support Act, which will help with crisis relief and wellbeing support for Australian music industry workers in need.
The prints are $165 each (inc. free shipping) available now from gregoconnor.com.au
FUNDRAISING UPDATES
The Australian Road Crew Association’s Desk Tape Series released its latest edition this month, featuring Dave Tice and The Headhunters live at Yella Rock, NSW in 1991. The Desk Tape Series was created to raise funds and resources for Support Act’s Roadies Fund to provide financial, health, counselling and wellbeing services for roadies and crew in crisis. Check out the latest recording here and keep an eye out for the next release on 1 August.
Congratulations to CrewCare on the success of this year’s Roady4Roadies events which raised $48,753 for Support Act’s Roadies Fund. Read more about it here.
We’d also like to highlight a really worthy Help A Mate campaign this month for musician Louis Tillett, who has recently been in hospital due to a serious kidney condition. The money will contribute to critical and expensive medications and medical treatments, and will allow him to focus on recovery or palliative care if required.
Support Act’s Help A Mate service provides an opportunity for friends, family and/or work colleagues to raise money for an artist, artist manager, crew or music worker who is in need or suffering hardship or distress. Check out the campaign for Louis and donate here.
