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December 7,
2014
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Newsletter
for
Offshore Residents
of Pittwater, Australia
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Vale John Hoffmann
Hoffers & Missy
John Hoffmann’s term of residence on Scotland Island spanned a mere
decade but in that time he made a mark that many remember – as an
expert and knowledgeable cook, a voracious reader and a generous and
fun host. Out of Szechuan pepper? Not familiar with asafoetida? Raid
John Hoffmann’s pantry.
Hoffers, as he was known to his intimates, and his wife, author and
journalist Edna Carew, threw many memorable dinner parties – some took
place on their pontoon. Food was of top quality, wine and conversation
flowed.
A lifelong journalist and wordsmith, Hoffers co-edited (with Juliette
Robertson) Water Access Only,
a collection of Pittwater short stories first published in 2006. His
career in journalism began in the 1950s in Perth, where he worked on
the Daily News, rising from
cadet to hold senior editorial positions. In 1973 he left Perth
to join The Sydney Morning Herald,
remaining with the paper till 1987; during those years he held various
positions – feature writer, correspondent in Peking (later Beijing) in
the late 1970s and in his later years cadet training officer, a role in
which he ruthlessly enforced shorthand and was remembered with great
fondness by the cadets for his merciless criticism of their efforts,
written in green ink across their precious words.
When the Independent Monthly
was launched in Sydney in 1989 he was recruited as its in-house
copy-editing maestro, again enabling his intuitive flair for language
and style to flourish.
In 2007 Hoffers and Eddie, with border collie Missy, moved to the Byron
Hinterland where they continued to enjoy their unique partnership till
ill health interrupted. Eddie and friends farewelled Hoffers on
December 3, a few days after his 79th birthday. In line with his
wishes, there was no formal funeral or service, but a private
cremation.
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