Support Act Launch 'Help A Mate' Campaign For Ollie Olsen
The 66-year-old musician’s health has “significantly declined” in recent years, with a diagnosis of a terminal neurodegenerative disease necessitating full-time care.
Ollie Olsen (Credit: Supplied)
On the same day that it was announced Ollie Olsen will be inducted into Music Victoria’s Hall Of Fame, Australian music charity Support Act have launched a new campaign to aid the ailing artist.
The newly-launched campaign is part of Support Act’s Help A Mate service, which provides an opportunity for friends, family, and other supporters to raise money for an artist, artist manager, crew or music worker who is in need or suffering hardship or distress.
As Olsen’s campaign notes, the 66-year-old musician’s health has “significantly declined” in recent years, with a diagnosis of the terminal neurodegenerative disease multiple system atrophy leading to him requiring full-time care.
“Additionally, Ollie now suffers from dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult,” they note. “As a result, a complex modified diet and supplement drinks are required to maintain a healthy weight.”
The campaign seeks to raise $35,000 to “help cover the medical expenses associated with Ollie’s care”, and at the time of writing, currently sits just shy of $4,400.
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Olsen began his career as a musician in the late ‘70s, working with the likes of Rowland S Howard in the short-lived punk outfit The Young Charlatans, and working with future Models keyboardist Andrew Duffield for the post punk Whirlywirld.
Working as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and sound designer, Olsen’s credits included the likes of Orchestra Of Skin And Bone, NO, Max Q (alongside INXS’ Michael Hutchence), Third Eye, Hugo Klang, Primitive Ghost, Taipan Tiger Girls, and many more.
After decades in the music industry, Olsen announced his retirement in 2019, with his multiple system atrophy arriving the following year.
In 2023, Adalita, Mick Harvey, and Andrew Duffield re-recorded Olsen’s Rooms For The Memory (which was released as a single by Michael Hutchence in 1987 for the Dogs In Space soundtrack) as part of a campaign to raise funds for his medical expenses.
This week, it was also announced that Olsen will be inducted into the Music Victoria Hall Of Fame, with Music Victoria CEO Simone Schinkel noting his status as a “true artist and visionary in every sense of the word” as just part of the reason for his impending induction.
Support Act’s Help A Mate campaign for Ollie Olsen is currently active, with all donations above $2 eligible for tax-deductible status.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
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