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Who we are
Support Act is the heart and hand of Australian music.
We are the music industry’s charity, providing crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing support to musicians, managers, crew, music workers and organisations across all genres of music.
We deliver this through short term financial support; funeral support; mental health prevention, education and training programs; the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program; and the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline.
Support Act is an industry leader in cultural and behavioural change, and we strive to create a safe and thriving music industry for all, including dedicated culturally intelligent support for First Nations music workers.
ABN: 43 079 588 604
DGR: 900449383
Our mission
To help create a diverse, thriving music culture where all people in the music industry are safe, supported, respected, valued, heard and enjoy improved health and greater economic security.
Our history
In 2022 we celebrated a major milestone – our 25th anniversary!
The establishment of Support Act was a story that was 17 years in the making. The idea was initially conceived in 1980 by publisher, John Bromell, following a dinner with Easybeats singer, Stevie Wright, and Jane English.
Concerned about the lack of support within the industry for musicians like Stevie, John saw the need for an industry-based entity that could provide human and financial services to positively impact the health and welfare of people working in music.
He lobbied the music business industry, and with financial support from founding members ARIA PPCA and APRA AMCOS, the organisation was incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee on 7 August 1997 and then launched on 8 August. It was granted charity status in 2000.
The initial committee comprised John Anderson, Jeremy Fabinyi, Nick Hampton, Peter Hebbes, Peter Karpin, Glenn Shorrock, Simon Fenner, Emmanuel Candi, Dobe Newton, Alex Coroneos, John Bromell, Michael Chugg, Brett Cottle, Meryl Gross, Jim White and Michael McMartin.
Over the years, the who’s who of the music industry have had a hand in making the charity what it is today, with directors including Geoffrey Rudd, Jane English, Brian Cadd, Robert Patterson, John Hansen, John Woodruff, Dean Ormston, Keith Potger, Fifa Riccobono, Cath Haridy and Mark Callaghan.
We would like to acknowledge and thank those members of the music community who have served as directors and officers of Support Act. They are:
John Anderson (1997-1998) – Director
Jeremy Fabinyi (1997-1998) – Director
Nick Hampton (1997-1998) – Company Secretary
Peter Hebbes (1997-1998) – Director
Peter Karpin (1997-1998) – Director
Glenn Shorrock (1997-1998) – Director
Simon Fenner (1997-1999) – Director
Emmanuel Candi (1997-2003) – Director
Dobe Newton (1997-2004) – Director
Alex Coroneos (1997-2008) – Director
John Bromell (1997-2011) – Director
Michael Chugg (1997-2011) – Director
Brett Cottle (1997-2012) – Director
Meryl Gross (1997-2013) – Director, Chair
Jim White (1997-2013) – Director
Michael McMartin (1997-2016) – Director
Geoffrey Rudd (1998-2017) – Director
Jane English (2004-2007) – Director
Brian Cadd (2008-2014) – Director
Robert Patterson (2009-2013) – Director
John Hansen (2009 -2014) – Director
John Woodruff (2011-2012) – Director
Dean Ormston (2013-2014) – Director
Joanna Cave (2013-2018) – CEO
Keith Potger (2013-2019) – Director
Fifa Riccobono (2013-2019) – Director
Cath Haridy (2015-2019) – Director
Mark Callaghan (2013-2019) – Director
Sebastian Chase (2015-2022) – Director
Sally Howland (1998-2022) – Director / Chair
Karin Lines (2015 – 2023) – Director
John O’Donnell (2017 – 2023) – Director
Alethea Beetson (2019 – 2023) Director
Millie Millgate (2020 – 2023) Director
Jonathan Carter (2022 – 2023) Director
