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SALutations - December 2009
FROM THE CHAIR- AGM 2009
During the past 12 months Support Act has made tremendous progress and from a personal point of view it has been one of the most exciting since the organization was formed some 12 years ago. Some highlights since Support Act’s last AGM include:
The Appointment Of A Part Time Administration/Fundraising Manager
This appointment has provided Support Act with a dedicated 2 day per week employee to deal with the general administration and increasing co-ordination of Board and interstate activities. Fundraising has also benefited with successful Grant applications and access to tangible benefits to our clients via philanthropic Foundations and Trusts.
Support Act Becomes A Truly National Organzation With Branches In 5 States
Resulting from the dedication of Support Act Board member and our Interstate Co-ordinator Brian Cadd, Support Act branches now operate in all key States of Australia:
NSW Chair – Wayne Rowley
Victoria Chair – Keith Potger
South Australia Chair – David Day
Western Australia Chair – John Starr
Queensland Chair – Wayne Budge (the newest branch)
This has been a giant step forward and each State Chair is supported by a group of dedicated volunteers who have thrown themselves enthusiastically into raising much needed funds. Each State has a series of major fundraisers in their annual calendar and the newer States will copy some of these very successful events as well as presenting local functions.
In early November a national two day conference was held in Sydney and attended by a representative from each State as well as the Support Act Board. Hosted by APRA in Sydney, the conference was an incredible success and in addition to reinforcing our protocol, corporate governance and financial reporting requirements, the interaction and brainstorming was amazing. Support Act’s National Welfare Coordinator, Lindy Morrison, certainly gave an impassioned presentation from the frontline quoting a recent letter from a client who had been dire straits before coming to Support Act and expressing appreciation for assistance recently received. What was evident was the invaluable contribution Lindy makes dealing with applicants and clients and the letter went on to say
"I would particularly like to thank Lindy for her understanding and caring… in some ways it was these conversations that were the most valuable contribution towards me being able to acknowledge my contribution as a musician/sound engineer in my 30 year involvement in the music industry – when you have life threatening health problems it is not always easy to see what you have achieved and can still achieve".
Each State gave a run-down on their working committees, fundraising and new initiatives while swapping ideas and working through national strategies. All in all, a great success.
Donations
We continue to be the recipient of generous donations and we would like to acknowledge some of these as follows:
- Jack Daniels for their annual contribution
- The Age EG Awards and in particular Patrick Donovan for their ongoing support
- Bombora Music and all those involved in the “Tribute” album for donating royalties from sales
- Bertie Blackman for the proceeds from her art exhibition (and congratulations from all at Support Act to Bertie on her ARIA win!)
- The Debonairs for their support and donations
- The Australian Music Association
- Fergus Hynes
- Organizers and all those involved in the Mick Cocks concert
- The Event Committees in Victoria, SA, NSW and WA for their various fundraisers
- John Grant for his ‘Run Melbourne’ fun run contribution
- The Melbourne Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
- All those sponsors and donors nationally who helped so generously with all our functions
Membership is still strong and should continue to build with the activities of each of the State branches and the broader awareness of our organization.
I'd like to thank all members of the Support Act Board for their ongoing dedication and the various people who continue to work for Support Act on a voluntary basis in their various capacities – we couldn’t do without you.
Meryl Gross
Chair
