Category Archives: News

AMA Office Bearers for 2021-22 Elected | Anthony Ursino elected President

At an executive committee meeting following the 2021 AGM , new office bearers were elected for the 2021-22 year. Anthony Ursino, proprietor of Macron Music (NSW & VIctoria) was unanimously elected president.

Anthony said; “ I am honoured and privileged to take on the role as president of the AMA. When I joined I wanted to learn more about the industry as a whole and try to help it evolve into the future. I feel like with the team we have now, we can take the AMA into a new era with innovative projects that build on the past efforts of many before me. I look forward to hearing from all the members about how we can better serve them in the future ”.

Warrick Baker, General Manager of Kawai Australia was elected Vice President and Michael Jago of Link Audio was elected Treasurer.

Warrick Baker

Michael Jago

2021 Annual General Meeting | Election of Executive Committee

The forty fifth Annual General Meeting of the association was held on November 23 via teleconference for the second year running due the pandemic restrictions.

Among the business considered was receiving nominations for the 2021-22 executive committee. As nominations did not exceed positions available the following candidates were elected;

Wholesale

Mat Taylor, Yamaha Music

Tony Burn, The Resource Corporation

Mark Amory, Fender Music Australia

Warrick Baker, Kawai Australia

Megan Stapleton, Hal Leonard Australia

Michael Jago, Link Audio

Phil Muffet, Jands

 

Retail

Graham Hoskins, Concept Music

Gillian Erskine, Blackrock Music

Michelle Brown, Fine Music

Anthony Ursino, Macron Music

Andrew Muller, Soundbay

Michael Shade retired from the committee and as president, replaced by his Yamaha Colleague Mat Taylor, along with Hal Leonard’s Andrew Collyer who was replaced by Megan Stapleton.  Gillian Erskine was elected to the committee after serving as an ex officio member in recent years, as was Michael Jago. Other changes included the retirements of Jeff Higgins and Stefan Kcmarov

At a meeting of the executive following the AGM, Helen Marx of Australis Music was appointed as an ex officio member as was Dom Disisto of Holden Hill Music – both will contribute their expertise in the events and communications area.

The out-going president, Michael Shade presented his 2021 report, as did the Treasurer, Graham Hoskins – all the reports, Financial statements and minutes can be found in the Members area of the website CLICK HERE

 

How Can the Industry be Involved with Music for All Charity?

Making Music Changes Lives How to Participate CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT

The Music for All board is committed to supporting access to music-making opportunities so that our communities are enriched by engaging music participation. As the industry’s peak body, and one of the driving forces behind Music for All, the Australian Music Association is looking for your support

 

AMA 2021 Annual General Meeting | November 23 – 2pm Online

The 2021 Annual General Meeting will be held on November 23, 2021 at 2pm.

Members can register to attend the AGM which will be held via teleconfering until Thursday, 18 November by CLICKING HERE

Members can also vie the AGM Agenda and Financial statements in the members only area area of the website CLICK HERE

Nominations for the executive committee closed on Monday, 9 November with nominations not exceeding positions available. Therefore the 2021-22 executive committee to be announced at the AGM will be;

Wholesale

Mat Taylor, Yamaha Music

Tony Burn, The Resource Corporation

Mark Amory, Fender

Warrick Baker, Kawai

Megan Stapleton, Hal Leonard

Michael Jago, Link Audio

Phil Muffet, Jands

 

Retail

Graham Hoskins, Concept Music

Gillian Erskine, Blackrock Music

Michelle Brown, Fine Music

Anthony Ursino, Macron Music

Andrew Muller, Soundbay

The new executive will meet following the AGM to elect the 2021-22 office bearers and consider appointments for committees and ex-officio members, as well as charting the agenda in what will be an important year for the AMA.

AMA Member’s Survey Provides Good Insights

Members and others have confirmed to the executive committee the key roles members expect the AMA to play in the industry, by participating in the September survey. These include provision of statistics, events, communications, and importantly its advocacy efforts representing the interests of members. Nearly half the members responded to the survey, which provided a good sample of opinions from a broad section of the industry.

A summary of the key responses can be viewed by clicking here Summary Survey Data_All_210920

The final question in the survey regarding a single thing the members valued yielded a variety of replies, but coming through strongly was the AMA persisting with its advocacy efforts on behalf of music education and the promotion of music making generally across the community.

 

Music Retail Opens in NSW to be followed by ACT & Victoria Victoria Under State Roadmaps

Music Retail opens in NSW, to be followed by Victoria & ACT

Music retail is set to open its doors in NSW next week followed by Victoria & ACT under State Roadmaps out of COVID restrictions. Many members face the challenges brought about by the new health orders relating to Authorised Workers only working on premises, among many others. The Australian Retailers Association has provided an excellent resource to assist retail businesses in addressing these challenges. CLICK HERE TO VIEW

DOWNLOAD NSW STORE POSTERS

The Australian Retailers Association has developed a series of printable posters in response to the ongoing Covid-19 situation across the country, to promote a safe shopping environment for both customers and staff.

The ARA’s COVID Resource Hub includes the downloadable posters and can be accessed by CLICKING HERE 

Support for the Work Place

The Victorian Chamber, in partnership with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has produced an employer guide to Victorian Public Health Orders Mandating COVID-19 Vaccination in the Workplace for non members of the Chamber while it continues conversations with government on this crucial issue. This guide can be found at support and vaccinations in the workplace webpage, which also has a range of information and guidance on issues such as face masks, QR codes and mental health and wellbeing.

AMA Seeks to Appoint New Executive Officer at end of 2021

Interested persons wishing to enquire about the part-time role of executive officer can do so via email to info@australianmusic.asn.au or dowload the AMA Executive Officer – Position Description

An Application for the role can be made by clicking HERE.

 

After first being appointed to the AMA in 1990, Rob Walker will hand over the position of Executive Officer at the end of 2021. Rob has been in his current role since returning to the AMA in 2013 and is now stepping back from this responsibility.

In this time, Rob helped the executive committee resurrect AMAC (Australian Music Association Convention) and the guitar show concept (Melbourne Guitar Show), and develop new ones, as well as develop strong partnerships with organisations such as NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) and the NAMM Foundation.

Rob will participate in the transition process and continue to advise the AMA on future events and remains part of the family. He is deputy-chair of the board and has been integral to the launch of the industry Charity, Music for All.

Rob has invested over 30 years’ service to the music products industry. This includes being past president of the AMA, three years working for the NAMM organisation in North America as well as seven years in retail. He has facilitated, project-managed or convened 30+ events for the industry in that time and represented the AMA to various levels of government and to organisations on many fronts.

The AMA would like to publicly thank Rob for his dedication to the AMA and the music industry more broadly both commercially and as a musician.

Rob said, “It has been my privilege to act as Executive Officer of the AMA. We have weathered the storm of the last couple of years, a bit battered, but still floating and ready for the next stanza – we’ve got some young, enthusiastic and influential members on the board who represent the future of the industry, and this is good to see. I’d like to thank all the members for their support over the years and I appreciate the many friendships I have made and great people I’ve dealt with over the years.”

I would personally like to thank Rob for his extraordinary investment of time and energy into the AMA, shouldering the bulk of the workload, managing relationships, and providing stability for the association.

The AMA is now entering a new chapter.

Michael Shade

President

 

AMA Receives Grant from The NAMM Foundation to Grow Music Making

(Melbourne, VIctoria – October 5, 2021) — The Australian Music Association has been named a grant recipient of The NAMM Foundation. The organization was selected as one of 25 music-making organizations to receive a grant to fund vital programs that provide access to music-making opportunities across a variety of different communities and demographics.

“Programs supported by The NAMM Foundation, including a grant to the Australian Music Association, advance music learning for people of all ages and abilities,” said Mary Luehrsen, Executive Director The NAMM Foundation, “Together, we advance a more musical world based on a shared belief that music is a force for good and connections in our world.”

The grants serve to underscore the Foundation’s mission to advance participation in music making and offer quality access to all people. As one of 25 recipients, the Association will utilize the resource to support the organisation’s efforts of establish Make Music Day Australia on June 21 each year, generally support recreational music making and improve access in the community to music making opportunities.

The Association’s executive officer, Rob Walker said, “the NAMM Foundation funding has enabled the AMA to take on programs and projects that it would have otherwise been unable to, particularly in times when live music has been so under threat and the industry under stress. It is vital, welcomed and appreciated”

Since its inception in 2015, the annual grant program has donated more than $18 million to domestic and international music education programs, scientific research, advocacy and public service programs related to music-making. Together with private donations to The NAMM Foundation, grants are funded by NAMM Show activities that are supported by NAMM’s 10,400-member global companies.

About the Australian Music Association

The Australian Music Association’s is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to be the voice of the music products industry and grow music making in Australia. For more information please visit our website

www.australianmusic.asn.au or Contact Robert Walker at info@australianmusic.asn.au

About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization funded in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 10,300 members. The Foundation’s mission is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

 

State & Federal Government Assistance Packages Available for Winter 2021 Lockdowns in NSW, Victoria & SA

The State & Federal Governments have now announced various cash funding for employees and small businesses that have been affected by the current Lockdowns.

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

This scheme provides $375 per week for those workers who have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours’ work, or have lost a full day of work, and $600 per week if a person has lost over 20 hours’ work.

Application is via your MyGov account from Wednesday 28th July 2021, with payments weekly in arrears.

For more details see https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment

Services NSW has opened the online application process.

The two Grants and links to the application forms follow:

2021 JobSaver Payment

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/jobsaver-payment

2021 Covid 19 Micro Business Grant

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/2021-covid-19-micro-business-grant

Support is also available if you are impacted by the Victorian and SA lockdowns.

South Australian small and medium-sized businesses forced to close as a result of the state’s lockdown (beginning 20 July 2021) may be eligible for a $3,000 emergency cash grant as part of a major financial assistance package announced by the Government of South Australia.

Small businesses who don’t employ staff (ie. sole traders) may be eligible for $1000.

The $100 million Business Support Package will assist an estimated 50,000 eligible SMEs to cover ongoing operating costs such as rent, power bills, supplier and raw material costs and other fees.

The Victorian Government has announced new cash grants for businesses impacted by the lockdown declared on 15 July 2021.

The cash grants will be paid automatically to businesses that successfully received a grant from the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two or the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 (including regional businesses). See the info sheets below.

Support is available for individuals as well as businesses. Full details are available at the links below. These information sheets have been shared with members by the association’s auditors, Page Harrision  & Co

What lock down support is available to business in NSW?

What lock down support is available in Victoria?

What Lockdown Support is Available – All Individuals?

MAKE MUSIC DAY 2021 PUTS MUSIC MAKING IN THE COMMUNITY ON SHOW!

Make Music Day 2021 saw Australians play music on stages, in the streets, in their homes and more. From the Sydney Symphony and music legends like Kate Ceberano to community groups, schools and solo acts, heaps of  Australians got into the Make Music Day spirit. Check out our highlights reel

You can see a full list of the events that took place HERE In a year affected by COVID 19 nearly 100 separate events took place in all sorts of places.

For a full summary of the day, feature videos and more go to our Australian Musician online magazine