Stephen Spence
Stephen Spence was an actor and stage manager in the professional theatre in Ireland, Britain and Australia, including for Junction Theatre in Adelaide, before working for over 35 years as a full-time trade union official with Actors Equity, the Australian Theatrical & Amusement Employees Association, Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance in Australia, and Prospect, Equity in the UK. He was also heavily involved in the International Federation of Actors.
He’s been President of the SA Unions, an ACTU delegate to the TU World Congress, and a UK Trades Union Congress General Council member. He was also an elected Councillor on Port Adelaide Enfield Council and Surrey County Council, was Chair of the SA Arts Industry Council and a Board member of the SA Film Corporation, and has recently been involved as an Adelaide Fringe Judge, a member of the SA May Day Committee and a campaigner with the Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless Persons, set up by his friend the late Sister Janet Mead.[1]
NOW WE THE PEOPLE
In July 2001, endorsers of the SEARCH Foundation's NOW WE THE PEOPLE conference in Sydney included Stephen Spence.
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
In 1994, the difficulties of life as a performing artist will be highlighted in a South Australia campaign by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). In a submission to the state government's Arts Taskforce, it calls for improved work opportunities for performers in the state.
MEAA branch secretary Stephen Spence told Green Left Weekly, "The state government has an arts budget of over $70million, yet many SA performers find work opportunities are at an all time low. Another wave of performers is leaving for the eastern states because of lack of jobs."[2]
SEARCH Foundation
Circa 1999 Stephen Spence, President, United Trades & Labor Council of South Australia was involved with the SEARCH Foundation.[3]
Broadside Weekly sponsors
Sponsors of the the Broadside Weekly listed in issue number 3, June 17, 1992, page 15 included Stephen Spence.