Chairman’s Report 2023

Finding philanthropic funding for our organisations work has been tough and we’ve been informed that it may get even harder. Unfortunately, we play in a very competitive space with much needed funds for mental health and wellbeing.

Our main focus, being the mental health and wellbeing of people in the entertainment industry, is still urgently needed to better support those in the industry. 

Entertainment Assist has a mission to raise awareness of the industry issues and provide education programs that help those better manage mental health challenges. We have to continue to raise funds that supports our need to grow and expand our programs nationally.

We are humbled and grateful to the most amazing organisations and individuals that support our work with special mention to our major funder, the Highland Foundation, Rick Smith AM and Sharon Landy for their caring and personal involvement and support of Entertainment Assist.

Other supporters who have been with us on the journey, ensuring we continue on with our important work to and supporting the industry are, the Freemasons Foundation Victoria, Paul Wheelton, AM, KSJ and Angela Wheelton OAM DSJ, Village Roadshow Limited and Mr Robert Kirby AO, Alex Vass OAM, Mr Gerry Ryan, OAM, and his company Global Creatures, the Gandel Foundation and Vedran Drakulic OAM.

A special thanks to those who contribute to us throughout the year with theatre fundraisers via bucket collects and a special mention to Louise Withers, Trafalgar Entertainment, Dainty, John Frost productions in the past 12 months.

A big thank you to the community that contribute to our tax appeal donations, and other cause related collections. Our probono supporters that work behind the scenes essential to our operation such as our auditors, PWC led by Niamh Hussey, and of course the wonderful support of the Village Roadshow finance team, including the provision of an office based in their Melbourne head office, with the use of their Boardroom facilities.

Our research funding is 50% complete so we have a goal to raise a full $100K over this year and next to support this very important project, research informs all our work.

INTERMISSION, our unique prevention-based program is planned around the country.

As always, a very appreciative thank you to the Entertainment Assist Board Directors Vice Chair; Julie Raffe, Mal Smith, Dr Sandra Hacker AO, Tim McFarlane AM, Amelia Edwards and Lyndell Pond.

A special note of thanks to Mr Ian Allen AM, one of the founding directors of Entertainment Assist together with Wal Bishop OAM and the late Dennis Smith. Ian is our patron and has graciously retired, we thank him for more than a decade of contribution to the organisation and his very mission to bring the organisaton into play.

In 2024 we may also see some new Board Directors appointed to the esteemed group that guide this hardworking organisation.

My thanks and congratulations to our very dedicated on the ground team, our Chief Executive Julia Edwards, Emma Hargreaves, and those that work with Julia and Emma; Tyson Cherrie, Cornelia Scezeseran, and in a program/research context Will Centurion, Glen Hosking, Sophie Curtis, Jess Ekserdjian and Jane Miscovich-Wheatley.

On a final note, a big thank you to our Ambassador, Josh Piterman, the only Australian to star in the lead roles of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables on West End, for his video messages in support of our fundraising campaigns. Funds permitting, we hope to put together a broader Ambassador program during the next 12 months.

I say at each and every presentation I make when I speak about Entertainment Assist, it’s an honour and a pleasure to be the Chairman. We will continue to help all people in the entertainment industry, not just the singers, the dancers and the actors, front of house, back of house and those who work around it to support the industry, the many people who give so much but not supported and looked after when it comes to their mental health and wellbeing.

Yours sincerely,

David Mann AM KSJ FAICD.