THE Mornington Peninsula’s music scene is poised to emerge from the pandemic stronger than any other Victorian region, according to music industry booker Shaun Adams.
This was predicted at the inaugural Mornington Peninsula Music Network’s professional development and networking event on 13 October, said to be the largest-ever gathering of music industry representatives on the peninsula.
Ex-CEO Music Victoria Paddy Donovan compered the day and updated the peninsula music sector on the shire’s music plan which he helped to write.
Those involved in putting it together were Robin Griffiths, Heidi Luckhurst, Maxon and Michael Clarke. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Despi O’Connor and Cr Sarah Race spoke about their passion for music and introduced the music plan.
The shire’s festivals and events coordinator Steve Harris presented an update on the shire’s draft Music Plan 2025 which can be seen at shape.mornpen.vic.gov.au/music-plan-2025
Mr Harris announced the waiving of busking fees and community event permit fees. He said the draft music plan included investing in programs supporting peninsula artists, developing peninsula-wide festivals, creating an online hub and database of industry contacts and resources and providing access to a creative hub for the music sector to meet, collaborate and participate in activities.
He said money had been allocated for the first year of the plan and that members of the community would have a say in how it was spent.
Last year the council handed out $40,000 in performing arts grants and has increased it this year to $500,000. A further $100,000 will be released for music activities when the council endorses the music plan.
The networking event advised artists to do their own PR and bookings before taking on a manager, booking agent or publicist. Peak bodies can provide relevant support and information to assist, and most memberships are free, so “there’s no excuse in not signing up”.
Register for APRA/AMCOS’s regional sessions at apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/announcing-the-regional-sessions-vic
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 23 November 2021
