The Newcastle rock-star’s involvement also comes as the not-for-profit organisation unveils their Beaumont Street premise, to be used for music classes and all-age performances.

Live music and the all-age scene that lies at its foundation has been through a tumultuous time in Newcastle, but Walmsley’s new program – complete with nine free Music Masterclass sessions – is looking to provide another positive step forward.

“We want to welcome anyone in the community who wants to know anything about the [music] industry,” Walmsley said. “I come from all aspects of that – performance and composition, as well as production and sound engineering, so I want to share that. I’m just trying to help anyone with any facet of interest.”

“My main focus is to make music into a viable career for aspiring musicians in Newcastle, as opposed to a hobby, and I want to unpack and assist with that.

“There’s a big gap for all-age music, and for the fostering of that talent, and providing them with venues like the Loft. Places like that are essential parts of the fabric of the Hunter Valley, and we’re trying to bridge that gap that has been missing for so long.”

The diploma courses on offer include specialist areas in sound production, performance, music business, composition and music theatre, and falls in line with the targets of the recently formed Newcastle Local Live Music Taskforce.

As well as the Music Masterclass sessions, Walmsley revealed the 145 Beaumont Street venue – now named The Creative Arts Space – has a 150-seat theatre and a studio, both of which will be employed to “further all-age music” for the local community.

The mix of a school and an all-age space is “crucial”, Walmsley said.

“At the last Live Music Taskforce meeting that I was at we identified both a missing space in the community, and a lack of places where young people can learn. It’s a crucial step forward now,” he said. “It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be able to take this forward.”

Mae Anagnostis, co-founder of The Y Project, has been a key part of growing Newcastle’s all-age music scene in recent months and she believes the Beaumont Street venue could be “amazing”, as long as it’s done right.

“Newcastle is missing a lot of spaces where people can come and express themselves, and can be safe and enjoy music, so if that gap can be filled that will be fantastic,” she said.

“The most important thing for any place that’s looking to foster that kind of space, and giving young artists and young people a chance to come together, is to make it safe, and inclusive. That is a must for any new space.”

Walmsley’s free music masterclass sessions are set to run for three hours each on Tuesday mornings and afternoons, and Wednesday mornings and afternoons through early July.