The township of Monbulk celebrated the unveiling of the ‘Community Keys Piano’ on Thursday, 14 August, embodying the true spirit of the town’s creativity and strong sense of community.
Even though it was a weekday, a lively crowd gathered under the gorgeous sunshine to witness the debut of the town’s very first vinyl-wrapped piano.
The piano which’s positioned right outside Bendigo Bank on Main Street now features vibrant artwork that perfectly reflects the essence of Monbulk – showcasing its stunning natural beauty, wildlife, and the pride felt by its people – it’s a beautiful tribute to everything that makes this town special.
This one-of-a-kind project was a result of a collaboration between the local artist, Nikki Carter, the students of St Paul’s Primary School, and the Monbulk and District Community Working Group (MADCOW).
What started as a simple piano donation to the community through the Community Keys Program has blossomed into a captivating public art installation.
Monbulk artists, Nikki Carter, who played a pivotal role in guiding the project, worked closely with Grade 4 and Grade 5 students from St Paul’s Primary School.
Together, they transformed the piano into a canvas that showcases a colourful field of tulips, cockatoos, lyrebirds, rosellas, and bees – all celebrated symbols of the local landscape.
The community-oriented approach to the design allowed the young artists to see their creativity take shape in a public space, and fostering a sense of pride and ownership in the project.
“I thought it would be great to get the kids involved,” Ms Carter said.
“The concept was to create something that really looks like Monbulk, something that showed the love for the town.”
While the idea of painting the piano by hand was appealing, Ms Carter’s partner proposed a more innovative solution, vinyl wrapping.
This technique allowed the students artwork to be digitally reproduced and applied to the piano in a more durable form, ready to withstand the elements.
A local graphic designer and project lead, Juan Lozano explained how the artwork was carefully transferred onto the vinyl, ensuring it would become a lasting piece of art for the community to enjoy.
“We had a piano here in town that was starting to get a bit tired with the weather, so we thought wrapping it in a nice graphic would help give it new life while adding colour to the street,” Mr Lozano said.
The unveiling ceremony itself was a joyous occasion, with local musicians performing, community members gathering, and a barbecue hosted by The Bendigo Bank for anyone who fancied a sausage.
The co-president of MADCOW, Aimee Te Boekhorst expressed the importance of the project in bringing the community together.
“We love supporting community-led projects. The kids were so excited to be part of it, and it’s wonderful to see the Monbulk community embrace the piano now. It gives the whole town a chance to share in something beautiful,” she said.
The project was made possible with the support of a $9600 grant from the Yarra Ranges Council, which was crucial for bringing the idea to fruition.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, highlighted the importance of the project for local children and the community as a whole.
“Yarra Ranges Council is proud to support the Piano Project, via one of our Annual Grants for 2025. We acknowledge the leadership of MADCOW to engage local artist Nikki Carter who worked with the students of St Paul’s Primary School, Monbulk, to create the vibrant community artwork. Projects like this give children a chance to see themselves as valued contributors to their community,” Mayor Child said.
“Nikki has beautifully brought their creativity to life on the Community Keys piano – part of an earlier Council-funded initiative by Beth Williams to make music accessible for all. It’s fantastic to see the Monbulk community embracing this installation and enjoying music in the street.”
For the students involved, seeing their artwork on public display is a significant achievement.
Jesse Bohun, a Grade 5 student at St Paul’s, proudly spoke about his experience creating a lyrebird painting for the piano.
“I think it shows my emotion, and it’s something only I could make,” he said.
The school’s art teacher, Emma Lee Curwood said the project has not only enhanced the studnets artistic skills but also helped build their confidence.
“The students are able to see their work in a public space, and it’s amazing for their self-esteem to see something they’ve worked on being appreciated by the whole community,” Ms Curwood said.
“It gives them a sense of pride in their creativity, and that will carry forward in everything they do.”
The piano now stands as more than just a musical instrument – it’s a visual and cultural landmark on Monbulk’s main street.
The bright, eye-catching designs reflect the town’s identity, with students’ artwork beautifully capturing the natural beauty and wildlife that makes Monbulk unique.
“We hope that people come by, have a play, and enjoy it,” MADCOW committee member, Merryn Van Bremen said.
“It’s about celebrating the town and what makes it special.”
For the people of Monbulk, the Community Keys Piano is a celebration of what can happen when creativity, collaboration, and a shared love for their town come together.
It’s a chance to stop, take in the artwork, and maybe even have a little fun playing a tune, whether it’s dancing through the tulips or just tapping on the ivories.
