It started out as a bit of an off the
wall idea last year: find a piano and place it on Wellington’s waterfront for
anyone who fancied knocking out a tune could do so.
That fancy is now a reality thanks to a
kind donor, a helpful cafe proprietor, and some members of the Rotary Club of
Port Nicholson, Wellington, NZ.
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| Official opening by City Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer on guitar accompanied by Cindy Muggeridge on piano. |
Wellington Waterfront Ltd, the City Council
owned company that manages facilities in Wellington’s inner harbour, asked the
club to find a piano and locate it on the waterfront so passers-by could play a
tune or busk some time away.
Locating pianos like that is common
overseas, and it was certainly agreed that a piano would add to the colour and
vibrancy of Wellington's magnificent waterfront which attracts hundreds of
walkers, runners and lunchtime amblers every day.
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| The Strachan Family who donated the piano for Wellington waterfront |
Port Nicholson Rotarians put it on a set
of castor wheels. The Tuatua Cafe on the waterfront agreed to look after the
piano, and on fine days it’s wheeled out for anyone to use – concertos to chop
sticks, blues to bourees, Gershwin to Rimsky-Korsakov.
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| Music teacher Isaac Stone trying his hand |
The Wellington Community Piano was
officially opened in November 2012 by Ray Ahipene-Mercer, a local city
councillor. Early admirers included Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of
Cornwall. On an official waterfront walkabout on the Prince’s 64th birthday, they
were treated to a royal rendition of “Happy Birthday”.
The piano also got Rotary onto the TV
One Breakfast show. The project cost
very little and it was a win for all involved. It highlights how some creative
thought goes a long way.
-
Rick Hughes, President, Rotary Club of Port Nicholson,
Wellington, NZ
