Roady4Roadies fund raiser returns for Support Act

Roady4Roadies, the annual initiative set up by the association CrewCare, returns in May.

Its double aim is to raise money for Support Act’s Roadies Fund to help them in financial and overall wellbeing, and to raise the profile of what road crews do.

In 2019, Roady4Roadies raised $62,820 and returned in 2021 to raise $48,750.

This year’s event will be held in eight cities on either May 1 or May 7.

Each one kicks off with a leisurely, neighbourhood walk followed by family activities and live entertainment from major bands.

The list of entertainers and ambassadors will be announced shortly.

According to CrewCare, there are 22,500 crew members in Australia, and all of them have been without work for the past two years.

Freelance production manager Peter Darwin noted the toll the past few years had taken on Adelaide.

“The pandemic has seen the loss of at least eight stadium events in Adelaide,” he said.

“Each of these events has meant the loss of 450 production crew roles, 600 stadium staff roles and more than 250 subcontractor roles at a minimum of one week’s equivalent work.

“Multiply that by five major cities and that is 20,500 crew who lost two month’s work each year since 2020 at minimum.”

Add to that 52 entertainment centre shows and you get an industry that is “very, very damaged”.

Jerry Reinhardt, general manager of Concert & Corporate Productions WA, said millions of dollars had been lost.

“The entertainment and events industry here in Western Australia has been seriously damaged.

“Our company alone has had over 500 shows cancelled across multiple venues due to restrictions imposed,” he said.

“These cancellations have direct and severe consequences on the financial and mental health of thousands of people in our industry.”

Gig Power’s turnover dropped by 95% over 20 months, with a loss of 80% of its casual staff.

Company director Mark ‘Trogg’ Svendsen noted the lack of Government support.

“Who could blame them [for leaving],” he said.

“For Gig Power, Government assistance all but ended with JobKeeper.

“Unfortunately, this meant that we became completely incapable of supporting our people.

“Our staff are good people who are dedicated and love the work they do and they all deserved better, much better.

“In Victoria, the work is just starting to come back and we are struggling to find people.”

The company only has 100 staff at the moment – “they’re flat out” – and is hoping to bring in new replacements and lure back older staff.

“It will be a long road to recovery for Gig Power and the people who work with us,” he noted.

Part of Perth gathering 2019

Roady4Roadies Events

Sunday May 1

Melbourne: Palais Theatre, 11:00am – 3.15pm

Adelaide: Coopers Stadium, 11:30am – 4:00pm

Hobart: The Salty Dog (Kingston Beach), 11:30am

Perth: Lake Monger Recreation Club (Wembley), 11:00am

Saturday May 7

Sydney: Hard Rock Cafe, (Darling Harbour), 12.00pm

Brisbane: The Triffid, 11:00am – 4:00pm

Newcastle: Victoria Theatre, 11:30am

Darwin: Entertainment Centre, 11:00am