Alliance E-Mage 6 July 2006

Welcome to your weekly Equity e-bulletin from the Alliance. This week:

- NZ Performers Celebrate Union And Benevolent Fund
- Unlimited Broadcasts Of First Australians - Government Protects Its Own
- Making Their Mark - Seven Moves Production - 50 Years Of Opera Australia
- There's A Bear In There - Aussie Drama Generates German Fans
- Making Sense Of Money - A Word From The Actors' Benevolent Fund

NZ Performers Celebrate Union And Benevolent Fund - Last night, 200 performing arts luminaries gathered at the Auckland Art Gallery to celebrate the establishment and launch of the New Zealand branch of the Alliance. Performers Sam Neill and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa were announced as founding patrons of an Actors Benevolent Fund (ABF). The Fund's objective is to provide good, sound, practical help to performers who need it. Speaking by video from a film set in Dublin, Sam Neill encouraged performers to get involved with the Equity in New Zealand and with the ABF.

Unlimited Broadcasts Of First Australians - SBS has commissioned a nine-part docudrama entitled "First Australians", which tells the story of indigenous Australians from the time of settlement. SBS is seeking unlimited broadcasts of the docudrama for a period of 15 years. Equity rejects this proposal and will not agree to broadcast rights for a period of more than seven years. We are currently negotiating with the producers over this issue. If you have auditioned for this production or have any questions please call Dana Michels on 9333 0999.

Government Protects Its Own - The Government's new Fair Pay Commission received a 4.4 per cent pay rise on 1 July, while workers reliant on Federal Awards suffer an 18-month wage freeze as they wait for the Commission to decide the next increase to the federal minimum wage. While most Australian performers are covered by collective agreements that protect wages and conditions, there are more than a million workers across Australia that rely on federal award wages.

Making Their Mark - In it's 50th year, Australian television has bred a fair few influential names and faces. But a number stand out as the true innovators and inspiration in creating the industry and programming that we know today. Paul Kalina lists 10 people who made television what it is today. Full story at http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/architects-of-australian-tv/2006/06/28/1151174209202.html

Seven Moves Production - Channel Seven is set to move its television production to inner - Sydney. The new $120 million media production centre will be built at Redfern's Australian Technology Park and will be used to produce a range of Channel Seven programs, including Home and Away and All Saints. More at http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/seven-moves-production/2006/06/28/1151174243578.html

50 Years Of Opera Australia - For 50 years fine work of Opera Australia cast, creatives and crew have enriched Australian culture. And we think that's definitely worth celebrating. Equity is looking for ideas for an Opera Australia review that will be funny, inspiring, celebratory - and just for Opera Australia. Want to get involved? Email kate.brady@alliance.org.au or call Kate on 02 9333 0911.

There's A Bear In There - Equity is gearing up to celebrate the fantastic work of performers and crew on 40 years of Play School on Monday 16 October at the Museum of Sydney. If you have been involved in Play School over the years, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact Suzanne Culph on 02 9333 0922 or suzanne.culph@alliance.org.au

Aussie Drama Generates German Fans - Koch Media Deutschland has picked up the German DVD distribution rights to hit Australian drama McLeod's Daughters and the popular kids' series The Tribe. McLeod's has been sold to over 230 territories worldwide and has also achieved success as a book series in Germany. More at http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=koch62206.htm

Making Sense Of Money - Equity's Dollars & Sense seminars are aimed to help performers save more and better manage their income. Tuesday 4 July 6.30pm at the Blue Room Theatre, Perth; and Monday 17 July 6.30pm at the Holden St Theatre, Adelaide. Free for financial members. Email kate.brady@alliance.org.au

A Word From The Actors' Benevolent Fund - With the financial year just ended maybe you'd like to consider making a donation to our charity - The Actors' Benevolent Fund of NSW. The Fund exists for all performers and their dependents who may suffer illness or injury. Assistance is provided in all practical forms - direct gift payments, regular monthly grants, interest-free loans, the covering of medical expenses, you name it. If you are able to make a donation, no matter how small, you will be helping someone in need. For more information contact 02 9333 0915.