Music Industry

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:49): Recently, I represented Premier Jay Weatherill, Mr Jack Snelling and minister Susan Close at the following functions. Firstly I spoke at the launch of a unique collaboration between Music SA and the Adelaide Airport titled 'This is SA Music'. This partnership sees local musicians performing original music in the main airport terminal every Friday afternoon and alternate Saturdays and Sundays. It is a showcase of local songwriters that can be enjoyed free of charge, giving arrivals to our state a taste of what the South Australian live music scene has to offer.

Artists performing on the day were Tom West, Vincent's Chair, Brillig and the Germein Sisters. As a one-off opportunity, the state government, through a Music Development Office grant, supported the release of 2,000 limited edition cards entitling listeners to a download-only compilation of songs from 16 artists from the series. Names such as Kaurna Cronin, the Baker Suite, Ash Gale and The Brouhaha featured on this release, truly a diverse and talented assortment of local artists.

Thanks must go to Mark Young, the managing director of Adelaide Airport, and to Gordon Anderson, industry development officer, and Lisa Bishop, general manager, from Music SA, for their vision and determination to make this project work. Through the Music Development Office, our government will continue to support the growth of the local music industry as we recognise the significant cultural and economic value that it brings to our state.

Another outstanding music industry event I had the pleasure of attending was the launch of the Yesterday's Heroes exhibition at the State Library. This partnership initiative between the State Library, Adelaide Music Collective and the South Australian Music Hall of Fame showcases a celebration of South Australia's influence on popular music from 1956 to 1986. The exhibition draws on a network of enthusiasts and collectors to display items and memorabilia from personal collections, most of which have never been on public display. Many industry items complement this exhibition: posters, photos, records, music magazines and articles, even a test pressing of Cold Chisel's Khe Sanh and drumsticks owned by Bill Ward from Black Sabbath and used at the Myponga Pop Festival. It is all there and on display until 22 March.

The State Library is also hosting a series of Up Close and Personal sessions to complement the display. Each session kicks off on a Tuesday evening with a contemporary artist's solo performance followed by a Q&A with some of our heroes of yesteryear who helped shape the Australian music industry through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Big names such as The Masters Apprentices, The Twilights, John Brewster, Rockin' Rob Riley from Rose Tattoo, Fraternity members, Bev Harrell, Johnny Mac, Barrie McAskill, John Schumann from Redgum, and Evan Jones. It is hoped that from this participants will gain an increased appreciation of the importance of this period in South Australia's music history.

Thanks must go to the South Australian Music Hall of Fame founder, David 'Daisy' Day, whose personal contributions to this exhibit are quite staggering and who plays host to the Up Close and Personal sessions. I would also like to highlight the contribution on the evening of Mr Alan Smith, the director of the State Library, the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin Haese, MC Gary Burrows and John Schumann, and acknowledge the attendance of Isobel Redmond, the member for Heysen.

It is events like these that promote a rejuvenated sense of pride in the South Australian music industry, by reflecting on the past and providing opportunities for the public to engage with a talented assortment of emerging contemporary artists. I urge all honourable members to visit the exhibition and, importantly, get involved and support our artists. I would like to congratulate everyone involved behind the scenes in putting these events together, as we all know that behind every rock star there is a great roadie.