Save the Tote

Letter to Tony Robinson, Victorian State Minister for Liquor *sigh* licensing

Dear Minister,

I urge you to reconsider the very unfair closing of the Tote Hotel in Collingwood. This venue is a real grassroots venue that has been a really strong contributor to the music business. Melbourne is famous for its live scene and its terrific bands, many of which have become internationally successful and brought considerable income back to Australia.

The Australian music business is a major employer and Melbourne is the music capital of Australia. Yet we would be nowhere if the up and coming bands have nowhere to play, to cut their teeth and learn to entertain. The Tote is one of the most important venues in this regard. It has never been a violent kind of venue, more a friendly and down home rock'n'roll pub well sited in an area surrounded by shops and inner city social activities.

We can't allow this important aspect of Melbourne's character, this vital venue - and potentially others like it - to be closed due to a narrow-minded view of licensing laws. It is very important that youth be given a creative voice and young bands have places like the Tote to play in.

Please save the Tote.

Kind regards,

Jen Jewel Brown
journalist and author of Skyhooks Million Dollar Riff
ex-A&R Manager, Mushroom Records and Publishing