Published 25 March, 2020

Date: Wednesday 25 March 2020
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Line Paras (Counting Clouds)

In response to the COVID-19 crises the VMDO team have developed innovative digital solutions for events, workshops and resources to support the music community.

On Wednesday 25 March, we held our first VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfast via Zoom with Bookkeeper Line Paras from Counting Clouds, an organisation that provides business and finance support for creative sole traders and small businesses.

Neil Morris, VMDO First Peoples Music Business Manager, commenced the session with a special Welcome to Country on Yorta Yorta Country.

Line’s presentation focused specially on how sole traders and freelancers could best manage their finances during the current COVID-19 crises and beyond. Below are useful resources and links shared by Line and participants during the session. Thank you all to all the participants who send through ideas and tips.

Resources:

Finance:

• Hourly Rate Calculator template

• waveapps.com - an app to assist sole traders and freelancers with managing finances

Rent Assistance:

• Rental Waiver Template Letter

• tenantsvic.org.au - an organisation lobbying for fairer tenancy laws

• ABC Triple J article - ‘What are your rental rights during COVID-19?’

Tips for negotiating rent:

• Speak to your landlord or real estate agent as soon as possible.

• If you have a mortgage, speak to your bank as soon as possible about holding payments.

• For those interstate, check with your local tenancy body.

Centrelink support:

• Services Australia - information on government services including Centrelink and Medicare

• Guardian Australia article - ‘Am I eligible for Centrelink payments? How to apply for the coronavirus supplement’

Tips for accessing Centrelink support:

• Call Centrelink and ask to speak to a customer service representative.

• The MyGov website is currently working best after hours (midnight).

We still have some places left in our Experts in Residence program, for a private video meeting with Counting Clouds. Your meeting will either be with Line Paras or Bernadette Morley. You can apply here: https://www.vmdo.com.au/expertsinresidence

For more information on our COVID-19 resources visit: https://www.vmdo.com.au/resources-covid19.