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We Get By With A Little Help From Our Friends
"We get by with a little help from our friends..." was certainly the theme at SUPPORT ACT, the Australian Music Industry Benevolent Fund’s, first national conference.
Founded 12 years ago, Support Act is a registered charity and non profit organization which raises funds to provide relief arising from hardship and/or illness amongst those working in the Australian music industry, the only benevolent fund for this purpose. Founding members include the industry's key bodies, APRA/AMCOS and ARIA/PPCA.
The conference was hosted at the APRA headquarters in Sydney and attended by the Support Act National Board and the CHAIRS from each State – Keith Potger (Victoria), Clyde Bevan (Acting Chair W.A.), David Day (South Australia), Wayne Rowley (NSW) and Wayne Budge (Queensland). These branches are all run by committees of dedicated, caring volunteers who find time to plan and present various fundraisers in their States to assist those who are less fortunate.
A stirring address from Support Act's part time Welfare Co-ordinator, Lindy Morrison, set the tone for the meeting when she read a letter expressing thanks for assistance recently received by an applicant who had been in dire straits before coming to Support Act for relief. This "anonymous" client advised "Support Act has helped me move on, from being the confidence shattered person I was (having survived my third heart attack and a period of being homeless) to finally being excited about music making again. Early last year I was still experiencing panic attacks, anxiety and depression. Even the love of music which had helped me deal with any crisis previously was slow to help me over come this. However bit by bit I have done a project here and there. Slowly I have gained more confidence and a positive outlook. I would have found it more difficult without Support Act helping me by covering costs of repairs and replacement of some of my musical gear. Also helping me afford a computer and internet access. These have helped me start new music activities which have given a new spark to my life." and "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. I have learned a lot about myself and how best to deal with my physical/psychological limitations. I am ready to live the next chapter in my musical life and forever grateful to Support Act for helping me get to this next stage" and this is indicative of the appreciation by many grant recipients who receive ongoing assistance and support from Lindy Morrison through SUPPORT ACT.
The fundraising activities now carried out by the Support Act Branches around the country will allow the organization to continue to build much needed reserves to cope with the increasing number of people falling on hard times, particularly as the population ages.
The two-day conference was an overwhelming success and Support Act Board member and National State Coordinator, Brian Cadd said
"This has been a personal dream of mine…to see all the State branches up and running, and to have their CHAIRS all in one room together with the National Board.
The interaction and brainstorming was amazing to be part of and we on The National Board now feel that SUPPORT ACT has reached a new plateau of growth and effectiveness.
Activities and consequent revenue will quickly escalate from this point on and I feel immensely grateful to the individual STATE CHAIRS and their teams of committee members who will be instrumental in facilitating this sudden and most welcome growth."
New and exciting fundraising initiatives were developed which will give the organization the opportunity to build on its current strong foundation and the long term goal is to be in a position to increase the annual assistance provided to clients to ensure their quality of life.
All applications to Support Act are treated with anonymity and the client's privacy is respected at all times. In addition to helping individuals, Support Act also assists families who may be struggling due to illness or death and any donations made specifically to Support Act to assist children are isolated from general funding and used specifically for this purpose.
To learn more about support act, its state groups, or to make a donation, please visit www.supportact.com.au. Brian Cadd is available on behalf of support act for Media interviews. enquiries should be directed to the National administrator, joanna forman on 02 9332 4424 or joanna@supportact.com.au, or the State Chairmen – contact details via the website.
