A stunning 1978 walnut Petrov baby grand piano has been gifted to the soon-to-be-launched Fun Haus Factory project, the Gosford Arts Centre, located in the heart of Gosford CBD.
The donation is part of a national initiative celebrating music, community and connection, linked to the ABC’s heartwarming new series The Piano, which highlights everyday Australians and their passion for piano.
Thanks to ABC Classic and the Pianos for the People project, the gift follows a nationwide callout that saw more than 380 nominations, with just over a dozen pianos selected to be placed in deserving communities across the country.
Central Coast resident Yantra de Vilder, the powerhouse behind Pianos for the People, lovingly restores and rehomes unwanted pianos in public spaces.
“Pop-up pianos are about activating joy,”
Yantra de vilder
“They breathe life into underutilised areas and bring music where it’s needed most.”
The newly gifted baby grand now sits proudly at the Gosford Arts Centre, set to open soon.
Creative Director Glitta Supernova said it elevated what’s possible for the new centre.
“We’re opening new avenues for free community experiences and opportunities accessible to everyone,” she said.
“We’re almost ready to host everything from our monthly Welcome Choir and creative youth programs to community jams, piano-led theatre, visiting touring artists, and performances.”
One of the first major events will be the award-winning live music theatre show Chopin’s Last Tour, stopping in Gosford on August 8 as part of its east coast tour.
The moving production explores Chopin’s delicate health, turbulent relationships, and the quiet strength that fuelled his art, taking the audience from his childhood in Poland to the Parisian salons.
It is aptly described as a “blend of theatre, concert, and confession”.
Fun Haus Acting General Manager Juan Iocco said Gosford businesses, organisations and residents had come together to forge a new way forward for the CBD.
“A lot of love, time, and strategic planning is going into this transformation,” he said.
“We’re pushing through long-time challenges to shape new possibilities and perceptions for a better tomorrow, today.
“No-one can deliver at this level without support like this.
“When the piano arrived, it felt like something beautiful and healing was being planted in the soul of our city.
“People stopped in their tracks – smiling, and even tearing up.”
A free community concert and launch event will be announced soon.
To keep up-to-date on performance dates and future events, join the Fun Haus Factory mailing list: funhausfactory.org.au/subscribe
This group are the only ones giving back to our town – just amazing what these volunteers are achieving – thankyou