Over a lifetime a special time may pass you by. Sometimes you don’t realise how good it was (until it’s gone). But on those days reflecting back you remember by talking about it. Was it your wedding, divorce, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th love? Stealing that 1st car, your 1st child, your school days, winning lotto or just having lots of sex, sometimes with girls?

But mine was the following…A little bar hide out in Challis Avenue, Potts Point. A place that was set up by 2 not fit and proper persons and a debarred solicitor. But most of you would have only meet Grant Hilton (not Paris’ dad) and Grants little brother, Marty Clapp, that’s me. From Mangoroa Valley NZ to Bathurst to Kings Cross. I met Grants partner Julian and the next thing I am heading down to Kings Cross to work in a place called Benny’s. A late night hide out for Rock n’ Rollers, road crew, management, music executives, film and television and advertising gurus. What did I know? Rugby, cricket, slice of heaven, BBQ, darts, haka, boat races, rugby, meat pies, schooners, jugs, rugby world cup, why did I bring up that?

On my first night I was told the following. Just stand at the door, when the red lights goes on, open the door, and say these famous words “Do you intend on having dinner this evening?” It should have been “Do you intend having dinner this morning?” At 3am in Bathurst the patrons would be leaving, you folks would be just arriving – this was said only if I didn’t know them – that was everyone from Jimmy Barnes, Richard Clapton, Ian Moss, Mick Cox, Don Walker, Rob Walker (I knew Rob Walker), Mark Hunter, James Reyne and the list goes on as well as the management, road crew and studio owners etc etc even Patty Mostyn. If you didn’t play rugby I didn’t know you. But the place was about to become my home and like with you, a special part of my life.

Well here we go, Benny’s. The toilets looked like they held 500 people, well over a night they did. Maybe someone should have changed the “lines” oh no I mean words to that song…You can always find me in the kitchen at parties. Kitchen – we had one. 1 spring roll, 1 bowl of rice, 1 TV dinner, unless you had been and early Benny’s goer you may have had a real home cooked meal (roasts) by our mum…a bar that would hold 150, 350 less than the dunny. It’s one dunny I think Kenny never found. Some round tables; some dark corners but there was one more special thing, well three things, Mickey, Molly and Dominic (what a team). So it started, and as time went on I got the feel of the place, I think I was beginning to understand that place, or though I did turn away Michael Hutchins because he didn’t intend to dine, until Dominic saved the day. Later someone asked me if I would like a line, my answer was “of which song?” Now I have back catalogue.

25 years ago (very close) it had everything. But no incriminating photos, no youtube, no books and no movies. Many laughs and a lot of toilet paper. But we all have a story to tell so let’s get together again and share them and the magic times and have a drink for lost family and friends while we still can. Please forward this email this letter to anyone that you sat and drank with who you think would love to be there and would appreciate those early days of Benny’s. 1980-1988

The Benny’s Bar 2007 Reunion
Wednesday 5th December 6pm
Dolphin Hotel, Crown Street, Surry Hills
$50 Donation to the “Support Act” Organization

There will be a lucky door prize but only if the bloke gets through customs. There are still some outstanding bar tabs with interest around $47,000,000.00 so bring your cash & cards.

Marty Clapp Mob: 0412 414 418
PS: My first drink will be for the late great Steve Hands.

At the recent AMA (Australian Music Association) conference held on the Gold Coast, generous retailers at the Annual Dinner responded to a speech by SAL Board member, Brian Cadd, and donated approximately $4,000 and pledged a quantity of goods which will be auctioned off at future SAL events.

This is the second time this association has asked dinner guests to dig deep for SAL and the Board of Support Act would like to extend their sincere thanks for the contribution which is now in excess of $10,000.

It is only with the strong support of organizations like the AMA and their members that SAL can continue its good work helping those in the music industry who fall on hard times.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone concerned.

Wall of Fame 2007

The Wall of Fame is an activity of the Brain Injury Unit at the Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney. It began five years ago when Dr Clayton King, Medical Director of the Brain Injury Unit realised that the stories that people had to tell, of their accidents, recovery and rehabilitation were inspirational. These stories were not only important to the patient and their families, but would be an inspiration to others who are just beginning the journey of recovery following traumatic brain injury.

Participants in the Wall of Fame are former patients who have made significant achievements following a brain injury. Sometimes achieving a goal of learning to speak again, to play a guitar, or to engage in conversation is a significant outcome in their rehabilitation program. Each individual story is an inspiration to new patients who enter the Brain Injury Unit at ROYAL REHAB.

At the Wall of Fame the participants are presented with a framed photo and story that conveys the message of their achievements. Their “story” is then hung on the wall of the Brain Injury Unit as an inspiration to others.

At the 2007 Wall of Fame, messages of congratulation and support came from the Prime Minister John Howard and sporting legend Dawn Fraser. Brian Cadd representing Support Act was a special guest at the Wall of Fame.

Support Act Board member Brian Cadd had a special message of support and encouragement to a young musician, Tim Grant who is now using his music as way of expressing his journey of recovery and rehabilitation.