Music industry legend Renee Geyer has become the first Support Act Limited Patron. Renee has been a consistent supporter of SAL’s benevolent work within the industry and in accepting her new role as SAL Patron she has issued the following open letter to industry friends and colleagues.

To all my friends and new aquaintences in the music industry:

As a patron of ‘Support Act Limited’, I would like to extend an invitation to you all to sign up to this organisation (’Support Act’) for a ONE OFF FEE, although you don’t have to join to qualify for financial (and other) benefits in the (g-d forbid) event that you become ill and/or unable to perform in your usual way. You will be helping those who do need assistance.

The ‘Musician’s Union’ as it was…doesn’t seem to exist anymore…and one wonders where all the ‘dues’… that were paid annually by us over a great number of years…went.

‘Support Act’ is run by great people who genuinely care for the well being of artists, musicians AND road crew…and is there for people who, for whatever reason, might have fallen on hard times and need a little help.

They’ve been working hard, mainly with the help of volunteers ….raising money at functions, ‘passing the bucket around’ at the odd gig or two, with a few major organisations contributing donations here and there.

In fact…when I was part of the ‘Countdown Spectacular’ promotion, I and 7 other artists went on ‘Bert’s Family Feud’ in ‘Support Act’s’ name to hopefully win money for the organisation…..WE DID…we won $15,500.

I know for a fact that THAT money went towards a few musicians who had medical bills that were impossible for them to pay and had stopped them from actually being able to perform…also one musician who has a ’special needs’ child was helped also.

Please log onto www.supportact.com.au and go to the ‘membership’ part of the site….and follow instructions re: signing up.

As I said..it’s a ONE OFF fee…way worth it! (currently $33.00.)

Obviously, they have a strict criteria re: who qualifies..as in ..how sick…how much in need of funds.. and how long they’ve been in the industry etc…but..as I’ve seen personally…THEY DO COME THROUGH!

Let me make it clear…this includes musicians, artists and ROADCREW…the best in the world, hardest working (and usually the least thought of) of all of us!

So, spread the word…this is part of our superannuation…and the more people that sign up….the quicker and easier it will be to access funds when they’re badly needed.

I’m usually wary of these kinds of organisations…but these guys are honorable and, as I’ve said….they actually give a damn for all the work all of you have put in over the years…and the happiness you’ve brought to Australians ….consistently.

We are known all over the world as ‘gems’ in the music industry …the way we just ‘get on with the job’, work really hard and remain pretty laid back and undemanding…which is why, sometimes as a young industry…we’re overlooked in terms of THANKYOU’s.

We are also the first wave of ‘veterans’ of which there will now be a ’snowball effect’ of ageing and ailing people that need to be addressed.

It’s going to be a great relief…..if this organisation grows at a healthy pace by getting ‘members’ …..to be able to help ‘living artists/musicians AND roadies’ get back on their feet and thrive again…rather than just help with ‘funeral arrangements, and assisting the relatives of deceased loved ones.

SPREAD THE WORD and get onto the website..it will explain in detail who and what they are.

Regards and thanks for letting me expalin about ‘Support Act Limited’,

Renee Geyer x