The association’s AGM was held yesterday, November 24, 2020 and in addition to the usual procedural necessities, a new executive committee elected by the membership. In a difficult year for the association and the industry it is good to acknowledge past service and new contributions. Stepping down this year were past-president, Craig Johnston, Jarred Finnigan, Matt Walsham and Dave Clark. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed by the executive committee following the AGM in appreciation of their service. Coming onto the committee are Andrew Muller, from Soundbay, Michelle Brown from Fine Music, Jeff Higgins from Encore Music Distributors and returning after a break, Dom Disisto of Holden Hill Music.
Michael Shade, GM at Yamaha was re-elected president for a second year, and Anthony Ursino, Macro Music and Graham Hoskins, Concept Music were re-elected Vice president and Treasurer respectively.
Also returning to the committee were Warrick Baker, Kawai, Andrew Collyer, Hal Leonard, Tony Burn from the Resource Corporation and Fender’s MD, Mark Amory.
The committee also discussed a couple of vacancies available, and has extended invitations to Phil Muffet of Jands and Michael Jago of Link Audio to fill these vacancies. These appointments will be made at the next meeting in January.
Gillian Erskine, Forte Music, Mat Taylor, Yamaha and Stefan Krcmarov, Piano Warehouse were appointed as ex-officios to work on our subcommittee for Traditional Instruments and Education. The other working committees will be appointed also in January.

Noel Harriman

IN MEMORY OF
A WONDERFUL FRIEND and COLLEAGUE
NOEL HARRIMAN
AGED 89

“ In Life , what we believe defines us …. What we experience shapes us ..”

It is with sadness we would like to inform you of the passing of Noel Harriman on November 17, 2020 at the age of 89. Noel would have turned 90 on 25th December, and always said that’s why his name was Noel because he was born on Christmas Day.
Noel was well known in the industry for his jovial nature and was famous for his often questionable jokes .Noel was certainly one of the more charismatic characters in the industry and will be fondly remembered by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him and dealing with him.
Noel, “Uncle Noel” as he was affectionately known to all his customers , retired from the industry in December 2007 , after working for Rose Music / Yamaha for 11 years , and the final 24 years of his career at Musical Merchandisers.
In retirement Noel settled into a lovely life on the Central Coast of NSW where he was always surrounded by his adoring family, and friends.
Noel is survived by his beautiful wife Chris and 6 loving and wonderful children. On behalf of the Australian Music Association and Noel’s many friends and colleagues in the industry we extend our condolences.

Albert Music (through its philanthropic arm The Tony Foundation) has recently published a report entitled Music Education: A Sound Investment. It’s a great advocacy document for music in schools, and can be found here: Music Education: A Sound Investment (full report). One of the report’s co-authors, Dr Anita Collins, has also published a book entitled The Music Advantage which is discussed in the article. We encourage members to read these, and increase music education advocacy.

“Coming some 15 years after the AMA sponsored Review of Music Education, it is timely to see a broad and funded effort in campaigning for improved music education in public schools. The AMA will work with The Tony Foundation and contribute any way it can to contribute to this advocacy effort”, said president Michael Shade

The Premier, yesterday (Sunday 13th September) announced an additional financial support package for businesses affected by lockdown restrictions. In summary, this provides the following relief to qualifying retail businesses in Victoria:

1. Around 75,000 eligible businesses with payrolls up to $10 million will receive grants of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 depending on their size.
2. The Government will now defer payroll tax for businesses with payrolls up to $10 million for the full 2020-21 financial year.
3. $20 million will be allocated for small businesses to access off-the-shelf digital programs such as Shopify or Squareonline, training and workshops designed to help businesses adapt to online operations.

Click for Vic, a new website and campaign aimed at encouraging Victorians to support local businesses will be boosted with $8.5 million for more marketing and advertising, and expanding the digital platform and its partnerships with third-party e-commerce providers to sell these strengths far and wide.

Source: Australian Retailers Association

Premier’s statement is available here 200913 – Supporting Victorian Businesses On Our Road To COVID Normal

Full details of the funding program can be found by CLICKING HERE

New regulations came into force in Victoria on Tuesday 28 July, 2020, that require employers to report immediately they become aware that an employee or contractor has contracted COVID19. The new regulations require that the employer notify Worksafe Victoria immediately if it is known that someone has been diagnosed infected and attended work in the previous 14-days or until cleared. Fines can be steep at nearly $40,000 for individuals and nearly $200,000 for businesses that do not properly report.

The measure is temporary for twelve months pending review by Worksafe and follows other states and territories that have introduced mandatory reporting. Further details CLICK HERE

For incident report templates CLICK HERE

For Safe Work Australia COVID-19 Resource Kits CLICK HERE

Sweeping new additions to the Stage IV Restrictions announced in Victoria on Sunday have been released today (Monday). All non-essential retail will close for in-person retailing from 11.59, Wednesday August 5 and this will include music retail. Online orders will continue to be able to be fulfilled onsite provided staff onsite do not exceed 2/3rds of the usual peak number required.

Also, retail stores (not in the exempt list) will be permitted to operate contactless ‘click and collect’ and delivery services with strict safety protocols in place. A COVID Safe plan must be in place.

Shopping centres in the metropolitan area will be allowed to open only to provide access to permitted retail.

The latest government guidelines for the Retail Trade (released 6 August) can be viewed by CLICKING HERE 

Warehousing and distribution are permitted and freight and logistics will be operate. Wholesale distribution may be below capacity in Victoria as distribution and warehousing will operate with less capacity (2/3rds of the usual workforce). More detail to come as these situations are clarified through official channels. From what we are aware of, major distributors will continue operations according to the current restrictions and government statements.

Victoria’s two major guitar manufacturers Cole Clark and Maton will cease manufacturing for six weeks we are advised.

The latest government guidelines for the Wholesale Trade (released 6 August) can be viewed by CLICKING HERE

And the guidelines for the Transport Postal and Warehouse trade by CLICKING HERE

For a detailed spreadsheet on the restrictions on Business in Victoria CLICK HERE Melbourne-coronavirus-restrictions-on-business

COVIDSafe Plan

The government’s official information, including developing a COVID Safe plan is available by CLICKING HERE.

A COVID Safe plan must be developed by 11.59pm, Friday August 7, 2020.

The Premier’s statement on business restrictions is available by CLICKING HERE

Permitted Worker Permits

Further as announced by the Premier, a Permitted Worker Permit may be required for employees required to go to your permitted work place – this form can be download by CLICKING HERE 

The website has been overloaded and presenting errors – if this is your experience you can download the template here – Permitted Worker Scheme Template

Access to Child Care Permits 

Access to Childcare Scheme Template 

Business Assistance Information

To support businesses impacted by these restrictions, one-off grants will be made available to eligible businesses under the Business Support Fund – Expansion program. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

For businesses currently under Stage 3 restrictions, a $5,000 Grant is available, provided you meet the conditions.

For businesses under Stage 4 restrictions who have been impacted by the shutdowns, a further $5,000 is available in addition to the $5,000 grant that was announced a few weeks ago (total of $10,000). For businesses who have already received the first $5,000, you will automatically receive the next $5,000. For businesses who haven’t yet applied, a $10,000 grant is now available.

The grant criteria currently remains unchanged and is as follows:

• Operate a business with an address that’s located in one of the suburbs that are subject to the new Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions
• Be receiving Jobkeeper payments
• Employ people and be registered with Workcover on 30 June 2020
• Have annual payroll of less than $3 million in the 2019-20 financial year
• Be registered for GST on 30 June 2020
• Hold an ABN and have held that ABN at 30 June 2020
• Be registered with the responsible Federal or State regulator – ASIC, Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC), Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) or if you are a sole trader without a business name an ABN registration is ok)

More information as it comes to hand.