Support Act Limited

Support Act Limited (SAL) was formed as a registered charity in 1997 by a group of concerned music industry veterans who could see that there was a definite need for an organization to assist members of the industry who were in need or suffering hardship. As the baby boomer population grows older, so do our heroes and their contemporaries and many of them were doing it extremely hard.

So, SAL was born. The Board comprises 12 members, four of these positions are available to representatives from the music industry peak bodies AMCOS, APRA, ARIA and PPCA and these are permanent positions.

Everyone involved with SAL offer their services on a voluntary basis with the exception of SAL's hard working National Co-ordinator, Lindy Morrison, who is a fully qualified welfare worker and is employed on a part-time basis.

How does it work??? SAL has a criteria for eligibility for assistance and applicants first make contact with Lindy who then talks them through the application process and helps determine whether or not they are eligible.

Details of an application for assistance are then sent out to a Casework Committee made up of members of the Australian music business. None of the Casework members are aware of the applicant's name and judge the needs anonymously on the circumstances of each particular case.

Applications come from both male and female, young and old, and can cover the need to pay funeral expenses, utilities, schooling for children, musical equipment hire, music instruments, computers, auto repairs, medical fees, and respite care. SAL always endeavours to provide the most practical assistance on an applicant by applicant basis.

Since its inception SAL has not had to reject any eligible application. However, because of funding and volume of applications, our current policy is to generally provide a maximum annual benefit to each applicant and funds are provided to cover utilities and service providers – we generally do not pay money direct to an individual.

With an ever growing number of people seeking assistance and ongoing help, SAL's most important task is to raise funds and a number of functions are held each year for this purpose, including profits from the successful FanFest series of concerts in Tamworth each year, together with the receipt of donations from various Foundations and Trusts.

At a inaugural function at NSW Parliament house hosted by Virginia Judge MP and attended by Premier Morris Iemma late last year, Jimmy Barnes was honoured for his many years of charity work on behalf of the broader community and this will now become an annual event.

At the "Music In The House" function, Billy Thorpe outlined his ambitious plans to help SAL raise millions of dollars in the future to enable much broader ranges of long term help. Billy planned to announce these plans early 2007 and was appointed to the SAL Board just a week before his untimely death. The Board will work towards fulfilling Billy's dream over the coming years and announcements will be made shortly.

A Victorian Branch (SALVIC) is now up and running comprising a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers headed up by Brian Cadd, and they have contributed greatly to SAL's fundraising efforts over the last 12 months.

We are seeking to open branches in all States in Australia and would welcome any offers of assistance in this regard.

Can you help??? YES!! Joining SAL at a one-off fee of $33.00 – www.supportact.com.au is a great place to start. Attend our fundraising events – once you are a member you will be advised regularly of upcoming events. Or you can make a gift from the heart and send a donation to Support Act Limited, P.O. Box Q20, QVB Sydney, NSW, 1230.

All donations are tax deductable.

Please support Support Act.