Magnetic Island carpenter plans on replacing destroyed Radical Bay piano

The iconic piano at Magnetic Island’s Radical Bay has sadly been destroyed by the elements, but a man has plans on bringing back its sweet sound.

Hayden Clarke plans on replacing the piano (pictured) with another one after it was destroyed by rain. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

The piano at Magnetic Island’s Radical Bay has been destroyed by the elements.

But the man who replaced the instrument last year after the original was destroyed by fire has vowed to build a shelter and deliver another piano.

“I was devastated the rain got to it,” said Magnetic Island local Hayden Clarke, who has played the piano since childhood.

The carpenter noticed the Carl Ehlrich piano had been damaged by the wet season’s heavy rains about a month ago when he went to give it a play after a job in Horseshoe Bay.

Mr Clarke replaced the old piano in November 2019 after it burned down in January, loading a piano donated to him by a woman he worked for into his Holden Rodeo ute.

He now plans on building a shelter at Radical Bay when he returns to Magnetic Island, having headed to Townsville in the search of work during the COVID-19 crisis.

“I’ve got old roof sheeting and materials … to build a shelter before I take another piano down,” he said. “I’ve lined up another piano, a pianola. It’s heavier and the road is even worse, so if anyone has a piano to donate I will take it.”

Originally published as Magnetic Island carpenter plans on replacing destroyed Radical Bay piano