General News
25 October, 2023
Morning Melodies welcomes special guests
AROUND 100 people packed in to the Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch hall this week as The Hoffmans brought their talents to town.
AROUND 100 people packed in to the Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch hall this week as The Hoffmans brought their talents to town.
The performance has been more than a year in the making as the Terang RSL’s popular Morning Melodies event celebrates another successful year.
Just one performance remains for 2023 with a special Chistmas themed Morning Melodies scheduled for November 27 before taking a break over the holidays.
Heather and David Hoffman have been making music together since 1982, having performed across Australia and internationally, including annual performances in Scotland at Edenborough.
The Melbourne-based husband and wife duo were first approached by Terang RSL member Gary McKenzie, a musician himself who was a driving force in establishing Morning Melodies, at a country music festival where a chat over McDonalds coffee turned in to an invitation to perform in Terang.
“We met Gary at the Horsham Country Music Festival and he happened to say this date was open, and we jumped at the chance” Mrs Hoffman said.
“We run festivals as well so we know how hard it can be to network and get the word out.
“The world has been so chaotic since COVID-19; we lost $60,000 in an afternoon in cancelled gigs when the pandemic hit, so for us to get back is something we love.”
Mrs Hoffman said the relaxed atmosphere at Morning Melodies in Terang was “awesome”.
“We have Morning Melodies in Melbourne at about nine different RSL clubs but they’re very orientated on dancing and the show,” she said.
“It’s so nice, as a talker, to be somewhere where we can tell a few jokes and let people see that we can sing and entertain.
“It’s a beautiful little town, and I really think Terang’s Morning Melodies will continue to build up – to have this many people here was incredible.”
Mrs Hoffman said she relished the opportunity to perform through the RSL as many people in her generation were disenfranchised following the unpopular Vietnam war.
She said seeing the bonds strengthen with those who served their country was an important step.
“When you learn about some of the things that happened through the wars, you’re absolutely devastated,” Mrs Hoffman said.
“We wouldn’t have the ability to do this job without their sacrifices, and we need to be able to say thank you to RSLs for their work.”
Terang RSL member Gary McKenzie said 2023 had proven a successful year for the event, which had helped to breathe new life in to the club and serve as a vital fundraiser.
“We’re thrilled with how Morning Melodies has been going,” he said.
“It’s been running for 27 months now.
“Our final Morning Melodies for the year will be held next month, with a Christmas theme before we return in January 2024.
“Morning Melodies has been selling out quickly so I’d encourage everyone to book with Judy Walters on 0437 104 177.”