Horsham’s popular community piano has been repaired and will soon return to the streets for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The 1904 Estey piano, made in New York, was preserved during Horsham Town Hall’s redevelopment in 2014. Thanks to the initiative of Horsham’s Salvation Army Officers, and with some help from the Natimuk Men’s Shed and a Council grant, it was converted for shared use at Roberts Place.
Since 2018, people of all ages and experience have played the piano. Some are experts. Others are happy just to ‘tinkle the ivories’.
But the years have taken a toll on the piano’s condition, prompting a refurbishment.
It has been out of action for the past couple of months while Horsham engineer Ian Antonoff repaired the undercarriage at his workshop.
“The piano is on large wheels and can be shifted for various community events. But the sheer weight of the piano has caused some issues. They’ve now been fixed and the piano has been given a good clean and some fresh paint,” Mr Antonoff said.
“It has been such a great asset to the community and brings people together,” he said.
Former Horsham Rural City Council Mayor Mark Radford has been a driving force behind the community piano initiative, and was pleased to deliver the piano back to Roberts Place on Friday.
“During the past few months, since the piano has been moved people have mentioned that they have missed having it. So it’s a good thing that it’s now back,” Mr Radford said.
“It holds its tune very well considering it can be moved around and does encounter a few bumps here and there.”
“I hope people will continue enjoying it for many years to come,” he said.
