Tim Freedman From The Whitlams Has Lent His Voice To Sydney’s New Anti-Pokies Initiative
Making good on his promise to blow up the pokies.
A number of prominent musicians, including Whitlams frontman Tim Freedman, DJ Joyride and surf psych act Wild Honey have thrown their support behind a new youth-focused anti-gambling movement that aims to promote pokie-free venues around Sydney.
A Club In Darwin Has Ditched Its Pokies And Is Being Flooded With Messages Of Support
Spearheaded by siblings Anna and Tom Lawrence whose late father, Neil Lawrence, directed the ABC documentary Kaching! Pokie Nation, the Proudly Pokies Free campaign will launch Sunday October 23 at the Oxford Art Factory in Darlinghurst, Sydney. The launch event will include performances by Freedman, Joyride and Wild Honey, as well as Left, Bad Deep DJs and a number of other guests yet to be announced.
“It’s time for the young people of Sydney to learn about the scale and harm of the pokies and to make better informed decisions regarding their nights out,” said Tom Lawrence. “The pokies have become an unnecessary fixture of the Australian pub and we want to promote an alternative vision for our nightlife.”
According to Proudly Pokies Free, Australia is home to 20% of the world’s gaming machines, 50% of which can be found in NSW. Studies have also shown that 18-24 year olds spend more money on the pokies than any other age group.
The Whitlams’ 1999 hit single ‘Blow Up The Pokies’ was written by Freedman in response to the destructive influence gambling addiction had on his friend and former bandmate Andy Lewis, who later took his own life.
“I’m proud to be involved with the Proudly Pokies Free movement to hopefully encourage a mindset that rewards and encourages venues that show imagination in programming and curating their activities,” said Freedman. “It’s time for the people of Sydney to push back against the pokies.”
Proudly Pokies Free launches at the Oxford Art Factory at 5pm on Sunday October 23. To book tickets, go here.