Richmond’s street piano’s future is up in the air as its owner tries to find a new place to keep it safe overnight.
For years, Kmart staff have wheeled it inside every night and out again the next morning, but the piano’s owner Stephanie Buck says it seems Kmart’s head office has decided it is not part of its policy and now it needs a new overnight home if it is to remain on the street.
For the past decade, the artist-painted piano has sat on the street for the community to play and has had beginners to concert pianists produce a range of music on its keys.
Stephanie has approached other businesses near Kmart to see if any will house the piano overnight as it is a well-protected area from the weather, but so far she has had no success. She says the site near Kmart has been ideal because it shelters the piano from the weather. She posted the piano’s dilemma on Facebook to try and find a solution and encourage supporters to express their views to Kmart’s head office and has been blown away by the support.
“I’m astounded by the feedback I’ve had. I don’t get any negative comments and there has even been people from overseas who have commented on how lucky we are to have a street piano.
“Someone has offered to make a waterproof cover, but it still has to go inside somewhere at night-time.”
She says setting the piano up in Sundial Square is the next option and one suggestion from the piano’s supporters is a permanent, sheltered lock-up shed where it can be protected from the weather and safe from vandalism at night.
Just recently, the piano had its keys hit so violently that that it required strings and hammers to be replaced which cost several thousands of dollars. At the time, Stephanie said it was not possible to put a monetary value on something that lightens hearts and spirits.
