Community Piano Project

Created by the children of Mallee Kids

A collaborative community project celebrating creativity, belonging and the joy of music.

Project Overview

This Community Piano project was created by the children and educators at Mallee Kids, in collaboration with the District Council of Karoonda East Murray. What began as a simple idea grew into a meaningful community artwork that invites everyone to stop, play, and connect through music.

How the Idea Began

The idea of creating a Community Piano came about when the District Council of Karoonda East Murray approached Mallee Kids with the opportunity to work on a group, community-based project. The concept immediately resonated with the team, offering a chance for children to collaborate, create and contribute something lasting to the wider community.

pre painting meeting

planning

Why Community Projects Matter

Involving children in community-based projects helps broaden how young people view themselves and their place in the world. Projects like this encourage children to see their ideas as important and their contributions as meaningful.

From a community perspective, it strengthens connections and reinforces that even the youngest members have a role to play in shaping shared spaces.

painting piano

kids painting piano

painting piano

Visit the Community Piano

If you’ve discovered the piano by scanning the QR code, we invite you to sit down, play, explore and enjoy. This piano is a reminder that creativity belongs to everyone – and that small hands can make a big impact.

The Story in Their Own Words

Q&A with Nat Koch (Mallee Kids Coordinator)
How did the idea of creating a Community Piano come about? The idea came about when the District Council of Karoonda East Murray approached us with the opportunity to create a group, community-based project. We were excited by the idea and keen to collaborate and contribute to the wider community.
What has this project meant for the children? The project helped children learn about community, belonging and giving, alongside the creative art process. It sparked a shared inquiry into what belonging means and how we all belong.
What skills or values did the children develop while being involved in the piano’s creation? Teamwork was a big part of the project: working together, respecting each other’s ideas and different skill levels. It taught us to think, feel and listen, while building connection and a sense of being valued.
Why is it important for children to be involved in community-based projects like this? Being involved in community-based projects like this helps broaden children’s thinking around art and creative process. It allows them to truly see themselves as artists and makers, which is incredibly powerful. From a community perspective, it helps children see and feel where they belong and recognise themselves as important contributors.
How do you hope the wider community will use and enjoy the piano once it’s installed? We hope community members and people travelling through see the piano as an invitation to experience the joy of music — to experiment, play and approach it with the curiosity of a child. As a team, we hope it adds a playful presence to the community and that people enjoy the collaborative artwork created together.

Q&A with the Children of Mallee Kids
What do you like most about the Community Piano? “The colours and that it has our flowers on it.” – Ava “Pink.” – Everley “The music and the sounds.” – Gus “My quote.” – Katie
How did you help contribute to the piano project? "I wrote a quote. I didn’t think it was that good, but Nat loved it. We drew flowers, and I helped paint the stool and wrote my quote there.” – Katie “We painted the piano stool and did a lot of base coats.” – Maggie “We did flowers.” – Aubrey “We talked about music and how it makes us feel.” – Ava
What colours or pictures did you add, and why? "We all did outline‑style flowers, and it was inspired by colours and Katie’s quote.” – Ava “I like drawing. I usually don’t draw flowers though.” – Michael “We added all of the colours, and they show how we feel when we play music.” – Maggie
Who do you hope will play the piano? “My dad will dance.” – Gus “I hope lots of people in caravans play it.” – Maggie “My Nanny might.” – Maggie “My whole family will play it, and I will be so proud of them.” – Jed
What music do you think people will play on it? “Happy songs they remember.” – Jax “They will play songs they know from when they were little kids.” – Maggie “They will play random ones.” – Fin “Maybe people will make music like at the footy club too.” – Maggie “Old people play old songs.” – Jed
How does it feel knowing everyone in the community can use something you helped create? “Happy, and we will be proud of ourselves.” “It will be exciting.” “Funny.”

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