Want to own a funky piece of Newcastle concert history and help support a great cause into the bargain?
You can, when an upright piano, hand-painted by lauded Newcastle artist Mitch Revs to commemorate Elton John’s two massive Newcastle shows on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, will be auctioned off at the Newcastle 500 next month.
The working piano, which is currently on display at Westfield Kotara, will be the centrepiece of the fourth annual charity auction at Fort Scratchley on Saturday 11 March, with all proceeds going to local domestic violence charities Got Your Back Sista, and Nova for Women and Children.
Also, for the first time, bidding on the piano will be open to the public online via AirAuctioneer to allow Rocket Man fans and collectors to get in on the action.
Got Your Back Sista runs programs, fundraising events, campaigns, and the Village People Op Shop in Islington and provides referrals to external support services while Nova for Women and Children supports women and children to access crisis, medium and long-term accommodation and provides specialised, ongoing casework.
Got Your Back Sista founder Melissa Histon said she was grateful for the continued support from City of Newcastle, Supercars and the Newcastle community.
“Women often come to us with little more than the clothes on their backs,” Ms Histon said.
“They reach out because they're in crisis and need individual support to navigate leaving an abusive situation, finding the right legal and financial support, and rebuilding their lives.
“This would not be possible without the ongoing support of community and business leaders.”
Sir Elton John wowed Newcastle back in January when he kicked off the Australian leg of his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour with two huge shows at McDonald Jones Stadium that sold 50,000 tickets.
Bidding on the piano closes at 5pm, Saturday 11 March with the winner to be announced following the event.