South Australia has quite a long history in terms of funding trade union arts activity, beginning with workplace concerts in the late 1970's leading to the establishment of a Trade Union Arts Officer position and the development of a varied programme of arts projects during the 1980's.

Music and songwriting has always been an important part of the way working people have talked about their lives. Consultation in a cross section of South Australian workplaces during 1987 uncovered much interest in music and the desire for this area to be developed further.

As a result, in 1988/89 funding was sought and secured from the Music Board (now Performing Arts Board) and the Community Arts Board (now Community Cultural Development Board) of the Australia Council, the Federal Government's arts funding body, and from the South Australian Government's Arts Agency, then the Department for the Arts.

Trade Union funds were also set aside for the project, both through the S.A. United Trades and Labor Council's Arts Standing Committee, and from the U.T.L.C's anti-racism campaign fund to the project's multicultural focus. By 1990 funding was in place, and South Australia composer and musical director, Bob Petchell was engaged to work as both musical director and songwriter for the project. While initial planning and discussion occurred in July - August 1990, the project took place during September - November, with final concerts of the newly created songs in early December of 1990.

The "Working Music" project was always seen as the first stage in the development of music and songwriting within the S.A. Trade Union Arts. While the project achieved its aims in producing a new body of songs, and in involving a range of working people and workplaces in creating these songs, it also has prepared the ground for the formation of the Trade Union Choir, an arts project in the northern metropolitan area of Adelaide, and a series of workplace performances, Just as projects such as this have been inspired by working people, it is hoped that the cassette and song book package will encourage creativity in other individuals and communities.