Guitar Gathering Dust - Guitar Gathering Dust

Some interesting research.

Access Declines:
Only 16% of Australian schools provided high quality music education in 2020, down from 23% in 2010.

Minimal Coverage:
A 2023 survey indicated that 63% of surveyed schools offered no, or very little, music instruction.

Low Frequency:
In 73% of schools, music is offered just one hour, one day a week, with many offering it for only one term per year.

Specialist Shortage:
Only 23% of government music programs are taught by specialist music teachers, compared to 88% in private schools.

Guitars restored with care. Given with purpose.

We collect donated instruments, restore them with local repairers and community partners, then place them with programs where they’ll be used, valued, and played often.

It’s a practical way to support music access, while keeping good guitars out of storage and landfill.

Choose how you’d like to help

The refurbished guitars provided through Guitars Gathering Dust have opened doors to so many young people.
Seeing students choose to spend their break playing guitar – simply because they now have an instrument available to them – speaks volumes about the value of this partnership. These guitars don't just support learning; they help create community, confidence and a sense of belonging.
We are incredibly grateful for GGD's commitment to restoring instruments with such care. Their work ensures that students who might never have had a chance to learn guitar can discover their voice, their creativity and their place in the music making community.

G4VA collaborates with Guitars Gathering Dust who support disadvantaged children with the gift of music and guitar. Working with Craig the founder we trade our smaller compact size guitars for larger guitars suitable for our veterans. Once again we leave no guitars behind in delivering the joy of music.

At ESCG, we’re excited to be running a 10-week Guitar Learning Program with Craig Watt from Guitars Gathering Dust, who has kindly donated all the guitars used in the program.
It has been great to see residents getting involved and connecting through music. Some participants already love playing and singing, while others are picking up a guitar for the very first time. No matter their experience level, the program has created a relaxed and supportive space where everyone feels welcome to learn, have fun, and build confidence.
The program means a lot to our ESCG residents, as music can play such an important role in healing and wellbeing, especially for people experiencing trauma and isolation. Through learning and making music together, residents are gaining confidence, expressing themselves, and building meaningful connections with others.
Thank you so much for your support.