A gift of music, memory and meaning: the Tao family’s piano finds a new home at Noarlunga Hospital
That spirit of care and curiosity now lives on in a different way — through the Tao family’s grand piano, recently donated to Noarlunga Hospital through Flinders Foundation.
A meaningful way to give back
Dr Tao’s son, Nigel, says the piano was a much-loved part of their family home for many years. When it came time to relocate it, the family wanted to ensure it could continue to bring joy to others.
“Mum spent a lot of time at the Royal Adelaide Hospital last year, and we always noticed how the piano there created such a warm, communal space,” Nigel explains. “It gave people something to pause for — a bit of calm, a bit of connection. I thought our family piano could do that too.”
Through one of Dr Tao’s long-standing Flinders connections, Nigel reached out to the Flinders Foundation team to see whether the piano could find a new home within the health network. The piano soon made its way to Noarlunga Hospital.
“I’m really happy it’s ended up there,” Nigel says. “Even though I moved from Adelaide years ago, it feels meaningful to know that something from our family can now bring some joy to others.”
Acute Health Service Manager Jo James says the piano has already brought joy to the hospital community.
“It’s been lovely to see the smiles on staff and visitors’ faces as they hear the piano being played, and to see patients taking a moment to sit, listen and relax,” Jo says.
Continuing a legacy of care
Throughout his career, Dr Tao was known for his commitment to helping children with severe allergies — exploring new ways to make treatment safer and more effective.
“I realised that boiling peanuts made them much less allergenic,” he once explained, “and that could make desensitisation much safer.” His work built on both scientific research and personal observation — lessons drawn from his own family and cultural traditions.
Flinders remained an important part of his professional life, and he often spoke fondly of his time there.
“Flinders gave me many good memories,” Dr Tao said simply. As part of the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Dr Tao was pleased that his donation made its way to the Noarlunga Hospital.
Music that connects
Now, the Tao family’s piano continues that legacy of care — this time, through music. It has become part of the hospital’s public spaces, offering moments of calm and connection for patients, visitors and staff alike.
For the Tao family, it’s a small but meaningful way to give back to the community that was once such an important part of their lives.
As Nigel reflects, “It’s nice to think that something that meant so much to our family can now bring comfort and happiness to others.”
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Flinders Foundation acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Flinders precinct was established. We acknowledge the Kaurna people’s deep and ongoing connection to land, waters and community, and pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.
