Julia Brougham said a piano which has provided light entertainment to the main street of Mayfield West together “was just gathering dust” at her house.
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Ms Brougham owned the piano for more than 60 years before she and other members of Rotary Club of Newcastle Enterprise gave it a coat of paint and beautified a spot outside the antique shop at 400 Maitland Road.
It was done with the help of a Newcastle City Council Make Your Place granted and has resulted in impromptu gatherings around the piano of various people.
Men in high-vis work wear have been seen enjoying it. There have been kids in sporting uniforms, elderly and international university students all seen tickling the ivories.
“It's been a great addition to the area,” Ms Brougham said.
Applications are open for this year’s grants through Newcastle City Council.
Newcastle City Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the piano was a wonderful example of how a public space could be activated in a simple way.
“I've heard that it's been played by people of all ages and from all walks of life,” Councillor Nelmes said.
“It has improved the ambience near two food outlets and become something of a noticeboard for musicians advertising their own gigs."
