It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Michael Gudinski, a trailblazer who has left an indelible mark on both the local and international music landscape.
While Albert Productions and its studios was evolving in Sydney in the 70’s, Mushroom, under Michael’s direction was taking Melbourne (and in quick succession Australia) by storm. With artists like the Skyhooks, The Dingoes and Split Enz, Mushroom played a significant role in helping to create a new Australian sound and a sense of confidence that local songwriters and artists were as good (if not better!!) than those from anywhere in the world.
Michael always spoke of his respect and his admiration for my uncle Ted Albert. Likewise, we have always held Michael and his team at the Mushroom Group in the highest regard. The entrepreneurial flair, the breadth and depth of business activities from touring to publishing to film making, the drive, the passion, loyalty and genuine care for each and every one of the artists and songwriters were all hallmarks of the business that Michael and his team built.
Catching up with Michael was always special and always memorable. Two such occasions stand out. A beer at the Enmore before seeing the mighty Hunters & Collectors and a glass of red at his home to hear his vision for the Australian Music Vault, a celebration of our contemporary music scene. In both instances he was in full flight - entertaining and impassioned as he spoke of things that were truly dear to his heart.
For Michael, music was more than just a business, it was his life and a life he cared very deeply about.
Michael leaves a legacy that will endure well into the future. On behalf of everyone at Alberts, our condolences to Sue and the whole Gudinski and Mushroom family.
David Albert

The 2020 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition top 40 finalists have just been announced with a record number of submissions from 46 countries received raising just over A$203,000 for the transformative work of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia. The top 40 playlist is available to stream now on Spotify and Apple Music and the winners will be announced in March 2021. Alberts is proud to continue to support the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition which was launched in 2009 by Alberts in conjunction with APRA AMCOS and has raised over A$1.4 million to date. Read more here.

Sam Mostyn has been recognised for her contributions in the 2021 honours list among other incredibly impressive individuals. In announcing the candidates, the governor general said “The individuals we celebrate today come from all parts of our great nation and have served the community in almost every way conceivable. They’re diverse and unique but there are some common characteristics, including selflessness, commitment and dedication.” Ms Mostyn – the Sydney Swans director, AFL commissioner and chair of the Alberts AGS board among other great accomplishments was made an officer in the general division of the Order of Australia. She was recognised for “distinguished service to business and sustainability, and to the community, through seminal contributions to a range of organisations, and to women”. Read more here.

Aussie energy tech startup Gridcogniton closes a $675k pre-seed investment round with some of Australia’s leading tech and clean energy investors, including Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Alberts & Startmate. Gridcognition is an innovative software that helps to plan and optimise distributed energy projects to accelerate Australia’s transition to a decarbonised energy market. By creating a sophisticated digital twin of existing and future energy projects, the technology can run thousands of simulations in a single click, optimising technology and commercial decisions to drive the best possible environmental and financial outcomes. Alberts believes in the positive impact Gridcognition will have in helping the climate crisis by making it easier for customers to transition to the new energy market.
© Image courtesy of Gridcognition

We are excited to share our investment into impact start-up Like Family (formerly known as Home Care Heroes) in its latest $2 million seed raise. Like Family was founded in 2016 by married couple Jenna Leo and Mathieu Bertrand with the aim of tackling loneliness, an issue that has been exacerbated by the effects of Covid-19. Like Family are an NDIS-approved provider focused on reducing social isolation by providing companionship and non-medical support for the ageing population as well as people with a disability, injury or illness. The ​Like Family platform already serves a community of over 30,000 members and 3,000 carers via their marketplace which helps connect Australians to trustworthy social carers, vetted through a rigorous verification process including reference checks, police checks and in-person inductions. Read more about Like Family here.

A nation-wide celebration of Australian music that reminds us how lucky we are to have such a strong local music scene, with many highly talented and successful artists across all genres of music. This year has been a wipeout and artists, crew and music workers need our help more than ever. Show your support by wearing your favourite Aussie band t-shirt today ! Head to our team page to find how you can support the cause.

Know someone with a passion for impact start-ups who is on a mission to build a better world one business at a time... Alberts is hiring a VC investment manager! The role will be a core member of the Alberts Impact Capital team and will be responsible for owning and managing the end to end investment process for our venture capital investments. It will involve managing deal pipeline, evaluating opportunities and doing the heavy lifting on due diligence as well as co-ordinating our systems and reporting and working closely with our portfolio companies. We’re looking for someone who is excited about joining a small team, getting broad exposure and being part of an exciting new business venture built on a multi-generational legacy. If this interests you, Read more.

The Tony Foundation supports the Songs for Peace project - a series of music workshops and live performance events in the Pilbara. Twenty new songs were written in September - a testament to the incredible talent of the local Aboriginal community and the strength of the intergenerational workshop process in two schools, the cultural centre, the prison and on country. This intercultural event sees local musicians and young people in Roebourne mentored and supported by leading Australian musicians, including Paul Kelly who showed solidarity with the community at this important time of Black Lives Matter. Read more here.
© Image courtesy of Big hART

AirRobe makes the fashion industry more sustainable with their unique circular wardrobe - a 1-click solution for re-selling, recycling and renting pre-owned goods. AirRobe enables consumers to invest in ethical and quality clothing, to monetise their past purchases and feel good knowing they are contributing to a more sustainable future whilst enabling brands to seamlessly enter the circular fashion economy. Through matching clothing and textiles to re-use opportunities, AirRobe extends their life and offsets the embodied carbon, waste and water footprints caused by clothing production. By buying one used item instead of a new item, we offset on average: 19 kg of CO2 emissions, 2 kg of textile waste and 95 litres of water. Check out the latest article on the impressive and tenacious founder Hannon Commazetto and AirRobe in the AFR here.
© Image courtesy of AirRobe

Commissioned by Alberts philanthropic arm, The Tony Foundation, the report highlights the large proportion of Australian primary school children who have limited or no access to quality music education and a significant variation in the quality of the learning that children receive. Led by internationally recognised scholar, researcher and award-winning music educator, Dr Anita Collins, the report draws on a growing body of neuroscientific and psychological research testifying to the educational and developmental benefits of quality music education. It outlines recommended best practice in music education and identifies barriers, possibilities and points of change for lifting access to, and the quality of, music education across Australia. A recent interview was conducted with Anita on ABC drive on Tuesday 13 October. The full report is available for download on the Alberts website here.
© Image courtesy of Sian Barnard

AC/DC just unleashed “Shot In The Dark.” The first track from the highly anticipated new album PWR UP. The album, set for a November 13th release, will be available in digital, vinyl, CD, deluxe versions and limited-edition deluxe box with neon logo. PWR UP marks the legendary band, Angus Young [guitar], Brian Johnson [vocals], Cliff Williams [bass], Phil Rudd [drums], and Stevie Young [guitar] first new music since 2014. Pre-order HERE.
© Image courtesy of John CheuseInsert main article content.

Dr Anita Collins draws on the latest international neurological research to reveal the extraordinary and surprising benefits of children learning music. “The Music Advantage” released on the 1st of September covers the benefits of music development from newborns to young adults. Anita Collins PhD is an award-winning music teacher and researcher in brain development and music learning. We have been working with Anita since The Tony Foundation supported the ABC TV series, Don't Stop the Music which created a national conversation and call to action on music education. The book is available to buy here.

Sam Mostyn is an accomplished non-executive director, with a long history of executive and governance roles across business, sustainability & climate change, sport, the arts, policy, and civil society. We were extremely lucky to have her join the Alberts AGS board as chair in 2019. In this interview, Sam speaks about the importance of inclusion, diversity and leadership; her experience as a commissioner with the Australian Football League and the effects Covid-19 could have on our society as we look ahead. Watch here. Insert main article content.

Sendle is Australia’s first 100% carbon neutral delivery service for small business and a certified B Corp. Sendle’s impact is built on their contribution to reducing the environmental impact of a carbon intensive activity, together with a focus on supporting small businesses. Sendle was founded in Australia by CEO James Moody, and recently entered the US market. Read this latest article in the AFR for more exciting news on Sendle.

Australia’s biggest selling album of all time marks its 40th anniversary this year on the 25th July. To celebrate, they are releasing a special edition which captures the making of this world class record Back in Black. The first teaser can be found here.

The Australian Children's Music Foundation are thrilled to have commenced a long-term music program at Wingham Brush Public School - Taree. In 2019 both the school and community were devastated by the horrific bushfires. Through these long-term weekly music lessons the students and teachers from Wingham Brush Public School will not only benefit from a music education but will begin the process of healing and find joy and hope through the power of music. A news story that was recently featured on the ABC about this music program can be seen here.
© Image/Photo courtesy of The Australian Children's Music FoundationInsert main article content.

Many Australian children face long-term disadvantage due to poor access to quality education. Despite the best efforts of teachers and parents during the COVID-19 school disruption, students who experience disadvantage in the community were more likely to struggle with remote learning than others. Providing vulnerable children who are at risk of falling behind with opportunities to engage in learning as never been so important. The Song Room music and arts-based education programs have a dramatic effect on students’ connection to their learning, improving their school performance, confidence and their opportunities for success. Find out more about The Song Room.
© Image/Photo courtesy of The Song Room

The funding will enable Support Act to provide crisis relief to artists, crew and music workers who have lost their jobs and income as a result of COVID-19, and to upscale and extend access to the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline to all members of the arts industry. The Tony Foundation partnered with Support Act in 2018 to establish their Wellbeing helpline and continues to provides ongoing support as an ongoing commitment to the music industry. Read more here.

Whilst our operations have shifted to working remotely, we want to let you know that we are prepared for the hard work that the next few months will likely entail. We will continue to support our pioneers and let them adapt and evolve as necessary, they need our partnership now more than ever. We are continuing to be active in the market looking for the next great companies to back. With challenge comes innovation. If you are an impact pioneer and your business fits without our investment themes, get in touch.

The Tony Foundation will be providing an additional donation in an effort to help those that have been directly affected and impacted by this last bushfire season. Experiencing a disaster of this unprecedented nature can have a long-term impact on a person’s emotional wellbeing, this is especially true for children if they are not provided with the right support. Our donation will go towards a combination of programs from various organisations to assist kids, educators, support networks and remote communities to cope in these difficult circumstances and help with community rebuilding and socio-emotional rehabilitation. One of the organisations we will be supporting is KidsXpress. You can read more here.

Told through the eyes of Bangarra's artistic director Stephen Page, it's the story of how three Aboriginal brothers took a company in its infancy and turned it into a world renowned Indigenous cultural powerhouse. The documentary will premiere at the Sydney film festival in June 2020, followed by a theatrical run and television broadcast on the ABC. For more information please visit Documentary Australia.

Muso is a company that seeks to create a positive impact by increasing opportunities for live entertainment while providing artists with greater access to performance opportunities. The investment reflects Alberts heritage, its long association with the music industry and ongoing support of pioneers passionate about live music. For further details: The Industry Observer, Startup Daily, The Australian.
© Image/Photo courtesy of Muso