Special Announcement
Arrival of Grand Piano for the Bellarine
We are very pleased to announce the Barwon Heads Arts Council has purchased a beautiful grand piano for the Bellarine community, that will be housed at the Barwon Heads Arts Hub. The Grand Piano is available for use and we look forward to the wonderful music and musicians a piano of this calibre will attract to the Arts Hub for the community to enjoy.
100 community music supporters gathered in August for a fundraiser and further donations rolled in from raffle sales and donations to raise the $20,000 required to purchase the reimagined and refurbished Yamaha G5. A small maintenance fund will also be set up to assist with insurance, tuning and repair costs.
Over 400 volunteer hours contributed to raising the funds and we are incredibly grateful to the fundraising team – Ocean Grove based opera singer Sally Wilson & concert pianist Mark Kruger as well as Sophia Legoe & Vicki Strachan (BHAC).
The Yamaha G5 was manufactured in Japan in 1970 and spent its first decade in South Africa, loved and played by a family who then emigrated to Australia in 1980. In 2022, the piano was rebuilt and reimagined by local piano maker/technician Toby Mitchell in striking recycled Australian blackbutt and smoked eucalyptus.
The piano action and keys have been completely rebuilt using the highest quality Japanese and European-made components. Hand-wound strings across the original spruce soundboard complete this unique instrument.
The Story So Far…
A few years ago, Ocean Grove locals, opera singer Sally Wilson and concert pianist Mark Kruger held a fundraiser to raise funds for a community grand piano. Funds held in trust until a suitable location was found.
Early 2023
Sally and Mark approached Barwon Heads Arts Council to see if the new Barwon Heads Arts Hub could help raise further funds and house a community grand piano at the Arts Hub. At the time, our operating permit did not allow for evening usage but a new permit was granted in December 2023 allowing for extended operating hours.
August 2024
Barwon Heads Arts Council together with Sally & Mark held a Grand Piano Fundraiser to a full house of 100 music lovers.
August – October 2024
Further funds were raised through raffle tickets and individual donations to reach the fundraising total.
Overall, 120 community music lovers contributed.
November 2024
Barwon Heads Arts Council purchased the first community grand piano for the Bellarine.
When this piano arrived at the Arts Hub, Mark stated
“It’s a glorious piano to play. The tone is rich and velvety yet offers tremendous clarity. Ideal for the Classical repertoire and powerful Romantics alike. There is so much personality to it. Toby Mitchell has done an extraordinary job!”
