Hume Carols MC Gorgi Coghlan on why it's her dream singing gig

Gorgi Coghlan has been appearing on Australian TV screens for more than a decade.  

As a presenter and host for Channel 10’s The Circle and The Project, Gorgi showed what a master she was at connecting with an audience. 

And while the fact she is a classically trained singer played in the background to her TV hosting duties, when she suited up in 2019 as The Monster to make it to the Grand Final of The Masked Singer, the final reveal showed audiences what a powerhouse Gorgi is. 

Now, as we eagerly await the return of Carols by Candlelight to Craigieburn’s Anzac Park on 7 December, we’re thrilled she’s bringing all of that talent to Hume City. 

“When I got the request to host Hume’s Carols I said ‘OH MY GOSH, yes, yes, yes, yes!! This is my dream gig”, says Gorgi from her home near Ballarat. 

“My number one passion is singing and performing, it’s why I stepped away from The Project. Then, to add the hosting gig on top – I love connecting to audiences, to people, particularly through the power of music.” 

Born and bred in Warrnambool, and still living a regional life, Coghlan agrees that events around Christmas are all about connecting with people close by.  

“When a community comes together, it’s really joyful. We’re so removed physically from each other at the moment with technology and the way the world is, when we’re physically next to each other, we appreciate all the people who make up our community. That’s when communities feel really strong.” 

“Carols is a magical tradition,” she continues. “Reflecting on those types of traditions from our childhoods are the really strong, safe memories we have as adults, so I love that people can go along to Carols each year and relive the memories of those traditions.” 

Part of that Carols tradition, Gorgi believes, is reminiscing about the previous year’s performance, but with Carols returning to Anzac Park this year for the first time in five years she’ll be forging new memories and traditions for locals both young and old. 

“Seeing the kids’ faces...when you look out and see the kids’ faces light up when the characters come out on stage, it makes a community feel hopeful, connected and resilient.  

“Music brings people together, it doesn’t judge. It’s one of those magical components of our lives that makes us connect to our emotions and each other.” 

As for which songs are Gorgi's favourites she says loves all the styles that Christmas songs come in whether it be country, traditional or jazz, but that she loves delivering a song with feeling. 

“Silent Night always stops me in my tracks. It makes me very emotional; it helps you reflect on everything that’s happened in the past year especially because Christmas brings up so many emotions for people. 

“Also Oh Holy Night, it’s beautiful because it reminds me of my childhood and my mum loves it.” 

As to what the holiday season looks like outside of Carols, to the many people across Hume Gorgi says her favourite word right now is ‘pottering’ 

“I’m looking forward to ‘pottering’ - I was reading an article that describes it as walking around, not having a particular agenda. You just float from place to place without anything to do. 

“So, I’ll be pottering, going in the ocean on the coast, being with my girlfriends, and using the time to sit in gratitude.  

“There’s always the promise of a reset in the new year, but between Christmas and New Year there's a pause of life, a time to be really present – that's what I love the most!”