Media Release

The Hon Martin Foley MP
Minister for Mental Health
Minister for Equality
Minister for Creative Industries

PUTTING OUR ROADIES ON CENTRE STAGE WITH VITAL SUPPORT

Victoria’s reputation for fostering a healthy music industry has been boosted with the Andrews Labor Government today announcing funding to support our artists, roadies and music workers in crisis.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley announced a $100,000 grant to Support Act at the inaugural Roady4Roadies’ event – a Support Act fundraiser that raises the profile of the vital role roadies play in the Entertainment industry.

Support Act was established in 1997 to support music professionals who face hardship due to illness, injury or any other crisis that impacts on their livelihood.

Available to artists and music personnel working in all areas, Support Act provides tailored assistance to hundreds of people each year, ranging from professional advice, to community housing, financial support to cover bills, funeral expenses or medical costs, wellbeing programs and assistance to get back to work.

Research by Entertainment Assist and Victoria University found that rates of suicide, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders are more prevalent among those working in the entertainment industry than the general population.

Musicians are five times more likely to suffer from depression and 10 times more likely to show symptoms of anxiety than other Australians.

Forty per cent of those accessing Support Act’s services are Victorian and the organisation recently engaged a Victorian-based social worker, thanks to a generous donation from Mushroom Group Founder and Chairman Michael Gudinski and his wife Sue.

The grant to Support Act builds on the Labor Government’s landmark $22.2 million Music Works package which is supporting the growth of Victoria’s contemporary music industry.

To find out more about Support Act and its services, visit supportactorgau.kinsta.cloud. Support Act’s confidential Wellbeing Hotline provides support 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be contacted on 1800 959 500.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley

“Victoria is Australia’s music capital and our music industry makes a massive contribution to our economy and to our cultural life – Support Act’s services ensure that our industry stays healthy off-stage as well as on it.”

“Roadies really are the lifeblood of our music and entertainment industry, and this is a great opportunity to give back to an industry that gives us so much.”

Quote attributable to Support Act CEO Clive Miller

“We have always maintained that any financial assistance we are able to give is a grant awarded in acknowledgment of an artist, roadie or music worker’s contribution to Australian music. The support of the Victorian Government ensures that we can continue to be a vital part of the Victorian music community.”

Media contact: Tom Whitty 0488 084 717 | [email protected]