The announcement of a $100,000 grant to be accessible through ‘Support Act’ was made at the inaugural event of ‘Roady4Roadies’, which is a fundraiser for Support Act and helps bring attention to and showcase the pivotal role played by roadies within the entertainment sector.
Established in 1997, Support Act was set up to support and assist music professionals who are enduring adversity due to injury, illness or other situations that effect their livelihood. To qualify for help, applicants need to be a citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.
Entertainment is not only a big part of places like Melbourne Southbank, where poster printing is used to promote regular gigs, but throughout Victoria and Australia. According to Martin Foley, Minister for Creative Industries, the grant enables people to give a little back, adding:
“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.”
Music personnel and artists from across the industry are able to apply for Support Act assistance which ranges from wellbeing programmes and support to return to work, help with medical costs, funeral expenses and bills to community housing and professional advice.
Further information is available by visiting the Support Act website.