In 2023, the Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar in Melbourne, Australia led a successful grassroots campaign to save iconic music venue the Tote Hotel from being sold and developed and to preserve it as a live music venue for future generations of bands and punters.
Out of that historic movement the Last Chance Music Foundation was born.
Headed by a group of passionate live music fans the Last Chance Music Foundation aims to represent, preserve and advocate for the iconic venues, communities, bands and punters that make up Australia’s vibrant music scene.
With a focus on protecting, not just the walls of these cultural hearts, but what happens within them, the Last Chance Music Foundation is committed to helping music venues and the people behind them with the struggles they face from regulation and compliance issues, landlords, financial stresses, mental health challenges, and encroaching development. The Last Chance Music Foundation is committed to advocating for all live music in Australia at every level.
GOVERNANCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shane Hilton (Founder)
Cleaner, bussie, plumber, dishwasher, merch person, performer, cook, plumber, door person, box office, roadie, very bad lighting guy, soundie, security, barman, plumber, electricians assistant, carpenter, handy man, refrigeration mechanic, owner, advocate, the person that makes sure you get home at the end of the night… the list can go on and on. If there’s a job in or around live music over the last 25 years Shane Hilton has done it and is still doing it.
And for the most part still loving it (the plumbing thing really gets him down).
A passionate believer in the bands, punters and communities that make up live music scenes around the world Shane is committed to ensuring that the venues and spaces that enable generations of musicians to create art for themselves and their peers will still be there for the rest of time.
He firmly believes it’s not just the walls of live music venues that need protectiing but what happens within those walls.
Shane is a true believer in independent venues and committed to supporting everyone who share his passion for safeguarding these vital cultural spaces.”
Stephen Bunce (Chairperson)
Stephen Bunce is a barrister at the Victorian Bar practicing in corporations, employment and general commercial law. Prior to this he worked for over a decade as CEO of a non-profit medical research institute and its subsidiary primary healthcare clinics and has also worked in various consulting and regulatory affairs roles. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Information Systems), a Juris Doctor and is currently completing a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne. He is on various boards and committees including the Medicolegal Society of Victoria, the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board of Victoria and the Western District Health Service. Stephen is a member of the Victorian Bar, the Institute of Public Accountants and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Stephen has a lifelong love for live music, both as a punter and playing in local bands.
Aaron Hill
Aaron Hill is an accountant in public practice and has operated his own business for the past 16 years. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants and a member of CPA Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Computing (with Distinction) and a Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction). He is also the co-founder of the independent record label Tuff Cuff Records. A lifelong and passionate live music fan, Aaron believes he is at an age now that he has forgotten more nights than he remembers in the great live music venues of Melbourne.
Maneesha Manglick
I grew up in Sydney, and first bands I saw were at Homebake in 2001. I’ll never forget the feeling of making my way from the You Am I set to John Butler Trio at dusk, and then catching the end of TISM on our way out. That wacky euphoric feeling knowing that I would never stop doing this, I would be seeing bands for the rest of my life, and it would make life worth living. I moved to Melbourne when I was 18, and the first band I saw was Machine Gun Fellatio at the Espy, another special night that ushered me into my 20’s. I can’t remember when I made it to the Tote, or what band was playing at the time, but I do remember my shoes sticking to the carpet, balancing on the steps of the sunken floor, and the undulating bricks in the beer garden. The music scene in this city is precious and important.
ADVISORY BOARD
Stu Anderson
Stu Anderson is owner/manager/booker at Singing Bird Studios in Frankston. Stu has worked in the live music industry over 20 years in touring, management, booking and artist development, notably helping launch the careers of bands such as The Belair Lip Bombs and The Gnomes.
Kat Cazanis
Kat Cazanis is a researcher and strategist with extensive experience in brand development and audience engagement. Her work spans semiotic and qualitative research and she has spent over 15 years translating complex cultural signals into actionable brand strategies for cultural organisations and nonprofits across Australia. Founder of Special Projects a brand strategy consultancy, Kat has contributed insights on panels for organisations such as Vic Screen, Brunswick Music Festival, The State Library of Victoria and Craft Victoria. Kat has been involved with venues behind the scenes in a strategic capacity and also as a DJ, tour manager and lifelong music fan.
Leanne Chance (Founder)
More information coming soon
