The Latest
Vale Andy Sutherland
ARCA is sad to advise of the passing of another of our industry champions roadie extraordinaire, Andy Sutherland.
Andy’s passing on 13 April 2026 was advised by TISM via their Facebook page .
Andy died after a brief but devastating battle with cancer.
TISM has asked for help for Andy’s family.
Andy was one of TISM’s long-time roadies. Over more than 30 years, without Andy’s noble heroics, many masks would have been removed and many members lost in the depths of the crowd. Armed with a fistful of balaclavas, Andy would launch himself fearlessly deep into the mosh, intent on not only retrieving the band members, but doing so as gently as possible so as not to harm fans or others.
Apart from looking after TISM fans and band, Andy had a landscaping business, a wife and three kids, and a beautiful soul. What Andy didn’t have was a bank balance, insurance, or superannuation. Andy’s family have lost their hero. They are numb, shocked, and devastated to lose their hero – a man who was, in a way, a hero for us all. They have also lost their only source of income.
Please donate via the GoFund Me page to provide Andy a worthy send-off and help Andy’s bereft family over the coming months of despair.
Andy had a warm loving heart – please open yours and give generously to help the man’s family in their time of need.
TISM are included in the ARCA Black Box Record, Desk Tape Series “Live at the Corner Hotel 1988“
ARCA will donate their royalties for downloads of the Album for the next three months (April/May/June 2026).
Vale Jimmy Blackfoot
Jimmy Blackfoot passed away on 11 March 2026. A message from his wife follows:
Dear Friends,
Beloved father, husband and grandfather Jim Blackfoot left us on Wednesday night.
It was very peaceful, a passing we could all envy. We will have a drink for Jim in a couple of weeks. Everyone is welcome, we’ll keep you posted.
Thank you for sharing your memories of Jim and your condolences.
Linda Nagle-Blackfoot
Sunbury Festival 50th Anniversary
The original poster for Sunbury Festival, 29 – 31 January 1972, designed by graphic artist John Rezska. From the Australian Performing Arts Collection at the Arts Centre Melbourne.
ARCA has benefited from a great group of people remembering the magic of the Sunbury Pop/Rock Festival.
The site of the festival was Duncan Farm, owned at the time by George Duncan. It was a place and time for memories on 25 January 2026. Members of the Sunbury Pop/Rock Festivals 1972-75 Facebook group meet with ARCA Directors Adrian Anderson and Peter Tregilgas.
Members of the Facebook Group with Adrian Anderson (white TShirt)
A highlight of the day a donation by the Group of $1,100 profit to the Australian Road Crew Association, funds coming from the sale of TShirts. The funds will go towards the welfare work of ARCA.
Also donated was a poster of a signed Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs poster for raffleing by ARCA. More to come on that later.
The pic shows Deb Sweeney from the Facebook Group with Adrian Anderson and Peter Tregilgas of ARCA at the handover of the funds and poster.
Aficionados will know that Adrian was the originial stage manager at Sunbury.
The day was hosted by current farm owner Susan Duncan, daughter of George.
Redgum 40 years later
John Shumann and the Vagabond crew have released a new live album, 40 years after their first.
John and Redgum have been strong ARCA supporters over the years. Redgum Live Amsterdam 1985 was the first in the Desk Tape Series.
The new album is Corrugated Highway The Redgum Years Live, and was recorded at sold-out shows through 2025.
A review appeared recently in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald with the headline “40 years of Redgums rugged beauty”.
The review tells us that “More than 40 years ago, Redgum recorded a live album Caught in the Act. It was 1983. It was the year of their leaving. And now, half a lifetime down the road, there is this, Corrugated Highway: The Redgum Years Live “.
Of course, there is also Redgum Live Amsterdam 1985 released by ARCA in the Desk Tape Series.
You can read The Age review here.
You can get Corrugated Highway The Redgum Years Live at John’s website here.
And you can get Redgum Live Amsterdam 1985 here.
Thanks for those who attended Norbert Probst‘s funeral on Monday 28th July at 2pm at Lester & Son, 359 Wontigong Street, Albury, NSW. RIP Norbert. Long Live the Crew. (A set of pages will be established in the website refresh to honour crew that are no longer with us)
Jun 5, 2025: BlackBox Records 50th Release! DON”T FORGET !!! Get your tickets! Reunion #9 Gold Coast here at TryBooking. Monday 23rd June 2025, 12:00 to 5:00pm @ Mo’s Desert Clubhouse Contact: Kimbo Apr 24, 2025: BlackBox Records 49th Release! The DUGITES Live at Billboard 1981 ********************************************************************** Mar 18, 2025: Tickets Now Available! Reunion #9 Gold Coast here at TryBooking. Feb 14, 2025: Reunion #9 Gold Coast. Monday 23rd June 2025, 12:00 to 5:00pm @ Mo’s Desert Clubhouse ********************************************************************** Jan 12 2025: Black Box Records Desktape Series release 48: The Slim Dusty Travelling Country Band Reunion Show Live at Tamworth, 1996 Jan 12 2025: Black Box Records Desktape Series release 47 The Slim Dusty Family Show Live at Tamworth 1996 Dec 11 2024: Check out the latest release from Black Box Records Desktape Series: The Choirboys LIVE at The Inferno, Traralgon, 2000 Dec 1 2024: We’ve been adding heaps of content to the Desktapes Archives and Podcasts page. And there’s more, heaps more to come keep an eye on this page. Nov 8 2024: It’s here , the 45th release from the Australian Road Crew Association’s Desk Tape Series: Renée Geyer LIVE.
Contact: Kimbo