Support Act to Honour Paul Kelly at MUSIC IN THE HOUSE, May 18

Support Act are proud to announce that Australia's unofficial poet laureate, Paul Kelly, will be presented with Support Act's charity award in recognition of their invaluable services to the Australian community at the Music in the House lunch on Wednesday, 18 May 2016, at The Ivy Ballroom in Sydney.

The focus of Music in the House is to honour members of the music industry who, by their tireless efforts and charitable works, have made a difference and enriched the fabric of the broader Australian community. Previous recipients of the award have been Jimmy Barnes, Glenn Shorrock, Don Spencer, Richard Clapton, John Paul Young, Russell Morris, John Butler and The Sapphires.

Support Act is also thrilled to confirm that Andrew Denton will be hosting the lunch and Julia Stone, Thelma Plum and Urthboy will be performing at the event, as will Paul Kelly himself.

Paul Kelly has recorded 21 studio albums as well as several film soundtracks and two live albums, and was inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1997.

During a career spanning 30 years, he has produced an astonishing repertoire of memorable songs with lyrics describing everyday aspects of Australian life. Much of Paul Kelly's work reflects his social conscience, with commentary on important social and historical events and their significance to Australian identity. He also refers to the vast Australian landscape and our culture and has written or co-written several songs on Indigenous Australian social issues, one of his most famous compositions being From Little Things Big Things Grow, co-written with Kev Carmody, describing how the Gurindji people's claim sparked the Indigenous land rights movement.

In 2001, APRA listed the Top 30 Australian songs of all time, of which two had been written by Paul, including the classic Treaty, co-written with Aboriginal band, Yothu Yindi.

Paul has always crossed musical boundaries and continues to do so. The triple j tribute album Before Too Long, released in 2010, featuring John Butler, Missy Higgins, Megan Washington, Paul Dempsey, Ozi Batla and many others is evidence of his influence on generations of musicians.

His first work of prose How To Make Gravy, a self described 'mongrel memoir', was published in 2010 and is accompanied by a CD box set of live recordings and an audio book with readings from Paul and some of Australia's finest actors Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Judy Davis and Ben Mendelsohn.

In August 2012, Paul Kelly - Stories Of Me, a feature-length documentary premiered in Melbourne and is an intimate portrait of the very private man behind the music.

Paul 's most recent album Seven Sonnets & A Song will be released on 23 April 2016 - the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The record features Paul singing lead vocals on six of Shakespeare's sonnets and a song from Twelfth Night.

Support Act is Australia's only charity supporting music professionals in crisis. This year's Music in the House will be bigger and better than ever before with a sumptuous new venue and some exciting prizes on offer at a silent auction and luxury raffle. Come along to support our crucial work and hear about the changes which are taking place in our unique charity over a very special lunch in one of Sydney's most prestigious venues.

Joanna Cave, CEO of Support Act said, "Support Act receives no government funding and we must raise every dollar we need to help music pros in crisis. Demand for our help is unprecedented and increased by 500% last year alone. Music is the House, our most important fundraising event, will be very special this year featuring the legendary Paul Kelly with performances in his honour from some of Australia's most exciting young artists."

Bookings can be made online by visiting www.supportact.iwannaticket.com.au. Tickets must be paid for in advance and can be booked until 5.00pm on Tuesday 17 May. Please note tickets will not be available on the day. Tickets cost $180.00 per person / $1,550.00 per table of 10 and includes a two-course meal, drinks and coffee with featured performances from Julia Stone, Thelma Plum, Urthboy and Paul Kelly.

By buying a ticket you are helping music professionals in crisis. Visit www.supportact.org.au for more information.