CrewCare is a membership based, democratic, not-for-profit charity, whose mission is to effect change for the better in crew welfare - personally, financially and professionally. The CrewCare board is a collective of caring, like minded volunteers, dedicated to improving the welfare of Australian technical and creative live production professionals and their families. CrewCare's mission is to effect change for the better in crew welfare - personally, financially and professionally.

Our Narrative

Australian road crew members suicide at four to five times the national rate. Internationally the rate is nowhere near as high. Why have legions of Australian roadies been ending their own lives? There are some basic reasons;

• Physical incapacity
• Poverty
• Mental illness
• Decreased demand
• A changing workplace

A lot of the older generation began working in the business in their late teens when there was no occupational health and safety, and no training. They spent 10 or 20 years pushing their bodies to breaking point... and their bodies did break. Many roadies suffer significant back and muscular-skeletal problems. They’ve had multiple surgeries and body parts replaced. They live with chronic pain. Too many roadies have passed away simply through neglect of their health, or because they lack the means to get proper medical attention.

Sometimes the work just dries up. The artist a roadie is committed to moves on, or a band breaks up. There is less work, and more competition for it. Until recent times there was no superannuation for roadies. There is still no holiday pay. Beyond watching great rock’n’roll and a lifestyle that many enjoy, there are no other benefits... except maybe a sense of purpose, and of family and belonging. But when it’s all over, that can be lost too. For some, there is no one waiting at home, or no home at all.

Stuart Coupe - 'Roadies' (2018)