Behind the music: ALH Hotels champions Aussie music, with local legend and donation support. Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, Thurs 28 November

This Ausmusic Month, ALH Hotels, driven by Sharlene Harris, National Entertainment Manager, are doing their bit to help support Australia’s local music acts. Endeavour Group, which owns ALH Hotels, has committed to donating $40,000 plus an additional $1 from every ticket sold during Ausmusic Month to Support Act.

Ausmusic Month, which culminates on Ausmusic T-Shirt Day on Thursday 28 November, celebrates Aussie music and raises urgently needed funds for music workers in crisis. Supporting this initiative is part of ALH Hotels' ongoing commitment to the Australian music community and will provide crucial crisis relief and mental health support for music workers in need.

Harris has been a passionate supporter and advocate of live music since her childhood, growing up with Australian music industry icons like Molly Meldrum and Russell Morris in her lounge room. Since buying her own pub in Fitzroy at just 23, she has developed a career transforming venues into cultural hubs. “Every venue I went into, I put music into,” explained Harris.

This love of fostering live performances paved the way for her to take on more significant roles within ALH. Through ALH’s extensive network of over 350 pubs and venues, Harris helps bring live music experiences to local communities across Australia. "We want to create spaces where people can experience music up close and personal," she says. “These bands shouldn’t just be reserved for stadium tours as many of those ticket prices are unaffordable for our guests.”

Beyond supporting Ausmusic T-Shirt Day, Harris remains passionate about keeping live music accessible to everyone. She believes that smaller venues help foster deeper connections between artists and their audiences. "Seeing a band in a pub creates an incredible energy – it’s an experience that stays with you," she says.

Through her work, Sharlene continues to provide a platform for emerging acts, ensuring that local music thrives. "Music has the power to unite us all," she says. "By supporting Aussie music, we help sustain a vibrant and diverse music scene."

Clive Miller, CEO of Support Act speaks highly of Harris’ contribution to supporting local live music: “Sharlene has been an amazing champion for Ausmusic T-Shirt Day over recent years, helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars to support our programs and services for music workers doing it tough,” said Miller.

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For more information, images or to speak with Sharlene contact:

Yvette Schlegelmilch, [email protected], 0423 954 224

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About Endeavour Group

Endeavour Group is Australia’s leading retail drinks and hospitality business, with more than 28,000 team members united around the group’s purpose of "creating a more sociable future together." Its portfolio includes brands such as Dan Murphy’s, BWS, as well as the nation’s largest portfolio of hotels – under ALH Hotels – including many Australian icons such as Brisbane’s Breakfast Creek Hotel and Melbourne’s Young & Jackson Hotel. In total Endeavour Group has more than 2,000 retail stores and hotels across Australia. 

About ALH Hotels

ALH offers a diverse hospitality experience including sports bars, bistros, restaurants, cafes, accommodation, nightclubs, live sports racing and electronic gaming. Our hotels are located in capital cities and urban and regional centres across Australia. ALH employs over 15,000 people across Australia at more than 350 licensed venues. Our main business activities are pub operations such as bar, food, accommodation, functions, and entertainment. We also acquire, redevelop and refurbish venues to optimise our portfolio and offer state-of-the-art, comfortable and interesting places to visit.

About Support Act

Support Act is a registered charity that provides crisis relief, mental health support, and financial assistance to Australian music workers. It offers services such as the Wellbeing Helpline and Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program, and is dedicated to supporting First Nations music workers. For more information, visit supportact.org.au.

About Ausmusic T-Shirt Day

Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is an annual event held in November to celebrate Australian music and raise funds for music workers in crisis. This year, the event takes place on November 28, with all funds going towards Support Act’s programs. Music lovers can participate by wearing their favorite band tee, fundraising, or donating directly to the cause.

For more information, visit www.ausmusictshirtday.org.au.