Sustenance began as a community cultural development workshop project in August 2004. Employment service organisations and project partners, Personnel Employment and Community Bridging Services, interviewed and referred clients who were interested in new employment opportunities. These 15-26 year old job-seekers participated in a series of workshops led by Kat Worth, Daisy Brown, Clare Coulter, James Bull and Anastasia Retallack. The workshops were aimed at providing these young people with a work experience opportunity in the arts. The workshops ran concurrently with Restless’ youth ensemble, exploring the similar themes of sustaining our lives practically, emotionally and creatively.

Subsequently three of these participants were asked to join the Youth Ensemble to join Kat Worth and Daisy Brown in the creation of the performance.

Sustenance was performed at the State Opera Company of South Australia's Studio in Netley, Adelaide in March 2005 as part of the Come Out Festival.