Busselton community collective donates piano to future performing arts centre after 18 months of fundraising

Fundraising efforts have helped with the purchase of a new grand piano to be homed in Busselton’s future performing arts and convention centre. The Friends of the Busselton Cultural Precinct has raised $36,000 for the purchase of a Yamaha C7X grand piano, and look to raise a further $5500 to complete the transaction, with the piano expected to be located in Saltwater Busselton. The piano is currently located in the administration building, awaiting the completion of the construction of the complex. Friends of the Busselton Cultural Precinct president Lisa Massey said the group was approached for the fundraising for a new piano for the performance centre. “It had been categorically said that the city would not be buying pianos, after spending quite a bit of ratepayer money on this new centre,” she said. They thought that for a piece of equipment like that, we, as an incorporated group, could attract funding and leverage funding that we got, and donations.” Ms Massey said the group had originally set a goal of $57,000, but were able to acquire a secondhand piano for less, with the former owners selling it at a lower price after moving to Hong Kong. “We’ve been fundraising for 18 months, and we were very keen to buy a new piano, and got a lot of advice on that,” she said. “We wanted to raise $57,000 (originally). We’ve managed to secure the purchase of a secondhand piano, exactly the model that we wanted and we were fundraising for.” The group, which is made up of the different groups in the Cultural Precinct including the Arts Society, Acting Up drama school and Busselton Repertory Club, will continue fundraising to complete their purchase. “We are asking for donations from local businesses and individuals to make up the shortfall. We are delighted with the community’s support of the campaign through donations and thank all donors for their generosity,” Ms Massey said.