What's on

An update on the progress of Ruined

A project in partnership with Ten Days on the Island

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3rd December,2008
Following the success of the King Island episode, Ross had an extremely valuable session in the workshop of piano tuner Robert Tucker in Ulverstone. Robert has given us 16 pianos out of the hundred or so he has stacked up for restoration or disposal.

Subsequent to the Queenstown launch, we checked one in Strahan, which was declared "not ruined enough" then on to the Gaiety Theatre in Zeehan; there found a fantastic old instrument which had been sitting for 38 years in the disused kitchen of the Grand Hotel (now defunct, attached to the Gaiety). Made by R. Gors & Kallmann (Berlin) it seems to be the very piano that famous Australian concert pianist, Eileen Joyce, played on her visit to the Gaiety in 1948. Eileen was born in Zeehan and became internationally recognised.

Ross made a good quality recording on this one; it will be taken to the Hobart event.

Next, we tried out one in Rosebery, coutesy of a lead from West Coast Regional Arts which had a serious case of borers! It turned out to be unsuitable, but owner Noreen Boden but was extremely chuffed to meet Ross and it was a good connection made.

Checked Highfield House venue in Stanley; carried on via Wynyard (dud lead) through to Tamar Valley to find one in a farmhouse shed at Clarence Point complete with possum skeleton remains and wallpaper remnants! This one will be used in the Derby event.

Now in Lilydale, having just checked a piano in the Mt Arthur Community Centre which was "not ruined enough". Travelling on today to Derby, to check on the regional venue and then on to St Marys to locate a man who apparently collects pianos.

Meanwhile, there have been 4 phone inquiries via TRA with lead to pianos in Hobart, Cambridge, Devonport & Penguin....will keep you posted;.

Ross will depart this Thursday 4/12 at 12.30pm from Launceston airport; before then we're aiming to go via Fingal, Clarendon House & Evandale.

I shall have to follow up on further leads coming in on Ross's behalf before he returns in early Feb with descriptions & playing them over the phone!!

stay tuned....Teresa Beck-Swindale(pun intended)

For more information on Ruined...

• Ten Days on the Island
• The ABC Ruined Blog
• ABC

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