Support Act, ARCA, partner to help road crews in crisis

A team up by Australian music industry charity Support Act and the Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA) has created a new facility to encourage public and music industry donations to help road crew members in crisis.

ARCA was set up in 2012 to provide support and relief for roadies. However with no funding or grants, it has been unable to operate a viable crisis relief service for roadies nor does it have a tax deductible status that will encourage donors.

Support Act – which provides relief services for music professionals (including roadies) who are in health and financial strife – will now deliver this service through its existing infrastructure. It will also provide a tax deductible receipt for anyone donating $2 or more to the Roadies Fund.

ARCA’s Director Ian Peel said, “The Australian Road Crew Association wished to supply a continuing health and welfare service to its members and crew that need help.

“Rather than reinvent the wheel, we have recently come together with Support Act which will help to consolidate assistance now, and into the future, for crew. This is a fantastic collaboration for the future of ARCA and the industry.”

Support Act’s Chief Executive, Joanna Cave, added, “We understand the unique pressures experienced by road crew and we are committed to helping roadies in crisis. We are delighted to help ARCA encourage donations from people wishing to help roadies so that they benefit from a tax deduction.

“The community is increasingly expecting charities and non profit organisations to work together to reduce overheads and work smarter. In the end, it is better for service users and makes better use of donors’ funds”

Donations to the Roadies Fund can be made online at www.supportact.org.au/givehelpand by writing “ROADIE” in the donation field.

ARCA was set up in response to alarming anecdotal figures that of 125 roadies from the mid 1970s to the late 1980s era who died prematurely, 26 had committed suicide. The association’s idea was to set up the first support and contact network for roadies, with the mantra “call any hour.”

Road crews are the backbone of the live music industry. But according to ARCA it can be a challenging existence for many. “Pay rates are often low, income is sporadic and very few roadies have provision for ill health or retirement. Doing a physically demanding job, often late at night and away from home for long periods can take a heavy toll. Illness and injury are common and suicide rates are high.”

A survey released last year by Entertainment Assist found that workers in the wider entertainment sector suffer greater levels of mental health, anxiety, social, financial issues and drug and alcohol dependence issues, than the general population. 35.3% earn less than $20,000 a year, 30.2% work unpredictable hours, 57.9% do not have enough time for their families and 63% have a problem maintaining a social life. Only 12% have had treatments for their mental health issues.

Suicidal thoughts in the entertainment sector is 5 to 9 times higher, and suicides are double the rate. Road crew members contemplate suicide almost nine times more than the general population, the study showed.

In recent months, ARCA has been in discussions with the music industry about fund raising initiatives in the future. One idea is a campaign where five cents from every live gig in the country will be donated to the Roadies Fund.

Other major musicians have already individually promised to help out in the future with proceeds from gigs or tours. Others will donate recordings from their live shows for release through MGM. AC/DC signed posters for ARCA to sell. Songwriter Allan Caswell donated royalties from a song he specifically wrote for road crews called Boys In Black.

The ENTECH trade shows, Bluesfest and the A Day On The Green series will set up tents for ARCA to raise funding and awareness. More info at http://www.australianroadcrew.com.au.

For anyone seeking help or information on suicide or mental health, contact Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.