Support Act

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:41): Premier Weatherill recently said, 'I wanted to shake up the City of Adelaide; creating a vibrant city to become one of our central strategic priorities for the prosperity of our state.' He went on further to say, 'We wanted to do something to excite the CBD, and obviously we looked at live music to give it a lift.' In light of these comments and the importance that live music has in our vibrant city, I would like to bring the council's attention to Support Act Ltd, a benevolent music industry fund for career musicians and those important individuals who provide behind the scenes assistance.

This national organisation, often referred to as the heart and hand of the music industry, is a light in the storm for hardworking musicians who find themselves seriously affected by injury or illness and have no other means of assistance, whether it be financial help, counselling or rehabilitation. Originally the brainchild of John Bromell, Support Act came to fruition in 1997. Comprising 12 board members, the fund has a professional, experienced background upon which to stand, including leading industry bodies the Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society Ltd, Australian Recording Industry Association and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd.

Support Act can provide assistance to any person who has dedicated the majority of their life to music in any number of categories, including but not limited to composing, performing, managing, journalism, writing, arranging, promoting, producing or supporting as crew. It is these behind the scenes folk who make so much of the magic happen for such little accolade or recognition. When one thinks of audio piracy, it is probably the headline artists' bank account that one would think suffers most, but many individuals make a living from the music industry and they are no less deserving of their livelihood.

Given the vast array of applicants, Support Act provides individually-assessed assistance in as practical a means as possible. Financial aid is limited to $5,000 per artist and is paid directly to utilities and service providers; cash is not simply handed out. This ensures the system is used in the best interests of as many industry recipients as possible.

Every vibrant city has a live music scene; however, not every musician gets paid or is supported. Like most other industries, workers fall on hard times, hence the industry took responsibility by setting up Support Act. David 'Daisy' Day, a veteran of the Australian music industry and generous benefactor of the South Australian Music Hall of Fame that I will be speaking of, heads up Adelaide's arm of Support Act. Backed by a team of local industry enthusiasts, David and the Support Act crew work hard to raise money and awareness for industry professionals who are in need of support.

I would urge all honourable members who come across functions and performances promoted by this group to attend and support such an integral part of our local and national music industry. The promotion, encouragement and help provided to people who dedicate their lives to creative and passionate causes in spite of challenges and hardships certainly deserves to be acknowledged and nurtured.

It is on this note that I wish to bring to the council's attention another local hero in the South Australian music industry, Mr Enrico Morena. A professional drummer since 1978, Adelaide-based Enrico has performed, toured, recorded and taught master classes and workshops in 45 different countries around the world. His scope of experience and talent is phenomenal, including concert, workshop and music diplomatic tours of Central Asia with the British Council, and cowriting credits for music used in two Hollywood films. Enrico is currently touring, playing and recording with esteemed Australian artists Kate Ceberano, John Schumann, the Brewster Brothers, Swanee and the Baker Suite.

Earlier this year Enrico came up with the idea of the Adelaide Music Collective (from here on referred to as the AMC), an invite-only collective of Adelaide artists and associated professionals with a large pool of experience both nationally and in some cases internationally. The AMC's aim is to cooperate as a collective of respected industry professionals who network in a spirit of egalitarianism, facilitating access to knowledge and resources, to drive the development and recognition of Adelaide as a musical hub of similar stature to Austin, Nashville and Seattle, and to establish links to Adelaide artists based interstate and abroad.

The AMC's upcoming event on 11 July was to see a performance by Jim Keays of the Masters Apprentices followed by his induction into the hall of fame, but as members may be aware, Jim sadly passed away at the start of this month. His daughter Holly will be accepting the accolade on her father's behalf, joined by the remaining original band members. It is unique individuals like Enrico who are not afraid to bring the world's attention to Adelaide and who are prepared to share their knowledge, gifts and enthusiasm with others who are truly responsible for reigniting the spark in Adelaide's live music scene.