The Jam, The Mix, The Gig

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (16:16): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges the extraordinary work of The Jam, The Mix, The Gig (The JMG)—a longstanding and successful community arts mental health program;

2. Notes The JMG’s previous shared funding arrangement via the SA Mental Health and Substance Abuse program and Arts SA’s Arts Organisations (Disability) Program;

3. Notes with concern that The JMG’s application for funding through Arts SA has not been renewed; and

4. Calls on the Government to work with stakeholders including Arts SA to explore alternative funding pathways to ensure that The Jam, The Mix, The Gig (The JMG) can continue this important program.

I move this motion to acknowledge the extraordinary work of The Jam, The Mix, The Gig and note that The Jam, The Mix, The Gig, as an arts mental health program of some longstanding in this state, has not secured the $26,000 per annum it needs to keep the program going. While it has secured the mental health component of its funding for this year and into the future, it has not secured the arts component of that funding.

I raise this issue to draw it to the attention of all members of this place (in the other place and in this council chamber). A small amount of money, $26,000, for a program which if we did not already have it in this state we would have to recreate. I feel it is something that should not go unnoticed by this place and that we should all make every effort to save The Jam, The Mix, The Gig for its valuable work. It has already seen strong community support, with almost 400 people signing a petition that was forwarded to minister Snelling in February, drawing his attention to the impact that the loss of The Jam, The Mix, The Gig will have. I will note just some of the words of those who signed that petition. Jim wrote, in support of this program receiving ongoing funding:

This group used to meet at the SA Folk Centre before it closed down. I worked behind the bar there for several years and enjoyed numerous gigs organised by the musicians. I can personally vouch for the benefits of the program gained by the participants.

Keith writes:

This program contributed to saving mine and many others' lives. It gave me purpose and strength and courage to follow my passions and be the artist that I am today. I believe this would be a great mistake to pull the funding for this amazing program.

Bonnie says:

Such a worthy cause, music has that feel good vibe, it can bring out of a low moment or take you to your wildest dreams.

Dino says:

There is no question about the value and therapeutic benefits of music…countless scientific studies can validate that the benefits are enormous! Let's hope that individuals and groups using music for the purposes of healing and promoting optimal states of health and well-being can continue to be supported.

Helen says:

Variety and quality of musical experiences are essential for promotion of wellbeing of those affected by mental health issues. Already these people are disadvantaged through the loss of the Bach to Blues Programme. Speak up on their behalf.

Jenny says:

Survivors of mental health need this program to keep us sane or happy or positive. Don't rob us of such a great support outlet for our creativity.

These are just some of the dozens of messages of support. I note that usually when there is an online petition people simply sign up and do not write why they are signing, but The Jam, The Mix, The Gig has dozens of such messages from people who have been personally impacted by the power of this program. I say to those members listening that if you really want to tackle mental health one of the best ways to do it is through the arts, and music is a perfect art in this case that has been successful in not only supporting those who suffer from mental ill health, but in providing a way for them to promote and progress in their journeys to recovery.

So what is The Jam, The Mix, The Gig? Well, there is the jam, the mix, and the gig; pretty simple, really. The Jam is a music jam session where you can go and share your music skills with others, try out some ideas, write some songs, or just have a go and enjoy being part of having a good time with music. That is held twice a month. The Mix is a music skills development session and a chance to present your songs or poetry or whatever it is you have to bring to the group and get help in developing your confidence and skills. It is also held twice a month.

Then there is The Gig, which many of us would be familiar with not necessarily as performers but certainly as audience members. The Gig is a performance event to a general public audience. It gives participants the opportunity to perform their work to the best of their abilities and to receive recognition for this. There are various performances throughout the year.

I know there is a raft of opportunities for performances, and, of course, many of them have been most welcome and celebrated events of mental health weeks, but they go much broader than that. I note that legendary Adelaide musician Chris Finnan, who I was honoured to help induct into the Blues Hall of Fame and who has been internationally recognised for his work around the world, is just one of the many musicians who have been involved in the gig section of The Jam, The Mix, The Gig.

Heather Frahn—again, a well-known South Australian artist—has been involved in The Jam, The Mix, The Gig for a long time, and she says, in her support of the continuation of funding for the JMG:

The JMG is a crucial music community program. I can't imagine Adelaide without it! It fills an important role that has helped literally save lives over the years. I can't think of any other community program that has done so much for people with mental illness in terms of skill development, connection, creativity and opportunity. Please keep it going.

I hope this motion is just one small part of ensuring that we can keep it going. I know the minister has suggested that Arts SA work with The Jam, the Mix, the Gig to identify possible funding opportunities, and I draw attention to the fact that the Adelaide City Council recently held onto the bond from the Soundwave music festival when they exceeded noise limitations put on them. I suggest that perhaps a good use of that bond would be to keep The Jam, The Mix, the Gig going. We will certainly write to the city council to see if they will consider that request.

It is $26,000 per annum to keep this valuable, well-recognised and loved program going, which is but a drop in the ocean. It is a small drop, but it will have a massive impact. I look forward to other members of this place making a contribution and taking an interest in the campaign to keep The Jam, the Mix, the Gig going. I will be bringing this motion to a vote, and I look forward to working with members of this place to ensure that when we do bring it to a vote we have a happy and positive solution. They say that music may soothe the savage beast, but it may also make mental health more possible. With that, I commend this motion to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins.