The impact of COVID-19 on people in our community is on a bit of a mind-blowing scale – and it’s only just starting. If, like us, you’d love to offer some help, you might like to check out this list we’ve pulled together; it details a variety of ways to provide support.

We’ll be updating the list regularly as the community develops more ways to help, so we encourage you to check back every now and then. Oh, and if you have any suggestions, please drop us a line at csa@rrr.org.au.

From all of us at Triple R, we wish you all the very best during this period. It feels like it’s never been more important to cherish the communities we hold dear.

Photo by Renee Fisher on Unsplash

LOCAL MUSIC & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Register Lost Income With I Lost My Gig This is a data collection survey that tallies the financial losses of people from the local music and performing arts industries whose events have been cancelled or postponed. Run by the Australian Music Industry Network, the Australian Festival Association and industry partners, the I Lost My Gig project aims to find ways to support people and businesses who have been affected, so leaving your details will also allow them to connect with you in the future about funding opportunities and other support.

Petition For Government To Support Freelancers In the recent stimulus package announced, freelancers and sole traders receive no specific support – despite the fact that they account for 62 per cent of small business in this country. They’re currently seeing contracts, projects and other gigs being cancelled or delayed on a mass scale. This petition calls on the state and federal governments to “act now before this diverse and talented industry sector collapses”.

Write To Daniel Andrews Local muso Alex Lahey has put together an outstanding letter to the Victorian Premier that calls upon him to offer a “prompt and sustainable response” to all the people in the local live entertainment industries who have been left without income for the foreseeable future. Alex encourages you to use her letter as a temple to write you own.

Donate To Support Act’s Emergency Appeal Support Act is a charity run by the Australian music industry, for the Australian music industry. They deliver both financial and emotional support. Donate some cash to their appeal to support artists and music workers. You can also call their 24/7 support line if you or someone you know needs help: 1800 959 500.

Donate to Multicultural Arts Victoria Victoria’s peak arts organisation promoting cultural diversity in the arts will direct all donations to financially supporting culturally diverse artists.

Support Australian Artists Whose SXSW Gigs Were Cancelled Sound Australia have curated a list of all those artists affected. You can help them out by buying their merch and music.

Buy Music From Local Artists On Bandcamp On Friday 20 March, Bandcamp will waive their fee so that all the money you spend on music and merch will go directly to the artist. Now’s the time to buy everything you’ve always wanted from your favourite local musos.

COMMUNITY GROUPS & CHARITIES

Donate Food Or Cash To The ASRC With all the panic buying of groceries, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is experiencing shortages of food and household items. As they recently told Breakfasters, they’re now struggling to continue to help people seeking asylum – some of the most vulnerable people in the community – with food and hot meals. Check out their urgent groceries and essentials list and food collection points across Melbourne if you want to donate food and goods, or make a cash donation; both actions will support their most vital work at this critical time.

Donate To Foodbank The largest hunger relief charity in Australia, Foodbank is the pantry to the charity sector, linking surplus food and groceries to people in need. They’ve just pulled out all the stops to help so many folks during the bushfires. Now, they’re asking for you to make a donation to help provide food and essential items to the many communities who are most vulnerable, including not only those still hurting from the bushfires, but also people who are immune-compromised and our elderly, who are experiencing difficulty getting to supermarkets and finding food and everyday essentials that should be on the shelves.

Donate Blood Lifeblood have issued an update explaining that there is no evidence that novel coronavirus is transmittable by blood.

As we said before, watch this space! We’ll be adding more ways to help in the coming days. Email suggestions to csa@rrr.org.au.