19/10/2017
Dear friends, family, colleagues, musicians, producers, DJs, artists and promoters.
Please take the time to read this and I hope you can help in some way…
SYDNEY IS IN MOURNING, mourning the swift and systematic demise of its world- renowned music scene. Our international city is losing its sparkle and breaking the hearts of artists and the music loving public, who just want to live their passion. Once vibrant venues are now sad and empty, and streets that used to ring with music are now desolate, as the archaic lock-out laws, and a culture of unyielding harassment, have rendered too many venues, quite simply, dead.
My venue, and my contribution to creating a unique establishment in Bondi Junction, even though we have amazing events ahead, is finding it extremely difficult to trade to its full potential. I had the best intentions, the vision, and the support of artists and patrons, and yet I have had to deal with the bureaucracies of both local government and law enforcement agencies and at times it has felt as if I’ve been unfairly targeted.
In 2013, I opened Jam Gallery and Spring Street Social, with the dream to provide a place to nurture artists and give the music loving public a unique experience. To fulfil this dream, I invested everything I had in terms of time, energy and money. Revamping and promoting the venue, transforming it into an exciting and impressive hub.
However, at every turn I have endured constant oppressive and unfair treatment and been subject to non-competitive tactics which have devastated my livelihood and jeopardised the employment of all of my staff and the opportunities for artists to perform.
The major tactics used that I have had to deal with include:
• The enforcement of a 1am lockout, despite Jam Gallery and Spring Street Social being located outside of the lock out zone (and exempt as a live music venue!) with no justification.
• An unhelpful Council rendering it virtually impossible to access or locate information for consented use/development consent requirements. Total lack of assistance, communication and unbelievable incompetence.
I’d like to stress that I am not, and never have been, looking for preferential treatment from the relevant authorities. All I want is to be treated fairly having regard to the rules and regulations that everyone has to abide by.
To my utter dismay, I find myself at the brink of financial ruin. Legal fees (now in excess of $100,000), consultant fees and loss of income due to the unlawful lockout has put me way behind…
And yet, I have not given up hope – I won’t let the dream die. But, I need the help of generous people, friends and colleagues, who share my vision and want to help resurrect the dire situation Sydney’s entertainment industry finds itself. Obviously, I do not have the resources to fight the establishment by myself. I need the best legal representation for Supreme Court action that money can buy. Together, as a community, we can fight for our nights and bring our music back to life!
Please help me fund this legal action… SAY NO! No more crap from the establishment that are meant to help us thrive as a society.
Donations can be made via the below link on Indiegogo:
https://www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/fight-for-our-nights
Indiegogo charges fees, so if you would prefer to do a direct bank credit, contact me for details of my Fight For Our Nights Fund.
If you would like to talk about the above, or if you, or someone else you know has experienced a similar problem, private message me. The legal team we assemble may be able to help you or someone you know as well.
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Thank you in anticipation of your help.
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Organising a legal class action to obtain justice and compensation from the authorities due to the d
