Born and raised in Hobart Tasmania, I have been blessed with two wonderful adult children, a son and daughter.
I completed my Celebrant training in May 2005 and was first registered and appointed by the Attorney-General’s Department in Canberra in September 2007 after having to wait to be appointed, as I was in the middle of the 5-year capping period which had been introduced on Celebrants.
During the time in between, I began to write and gather information, putting together my Portfolio Books for Weddings, Renewal of Vows, Commitment, Naming and Funerals Ceremonies and setting up the business ready for when I was appointed.
From the time I left school, I had always had a passion for anything relating to weddings and at one point thought I may open a Bridal Shop. It was after attending a wedding that I decided there and then, I wanted to be a Celebrant. I listened attentively and thought I could add warmth and passion into the ceremony. This grew quickly into all ceremonies.
I worked as a Payroll/Finance Officer for a firm of Architects and Engineers for 18 years, followed by 16 years in the same role for a Private Girls School and now currently work part-time in the same role as well as Showroom & Costing Consultant for a Kitchen Joinery Company. Reducing my hours has given me a happy balance with my Celebrant work and I am very contented in both my roles. I have met many people from all cross sections throughout my working career.
In December 2010, although I had already obtained my Celebrant qualification, I decided to study for ‘Certificate IV in Celebrancy’ which is the new mandatory requirement qualification to become a Marriage Celebrant, just so I had that certificate also. It was a difficult year as my beautiful husband was ill with terminal cancer having suffered for the 3 years prior and I nursed him completely, having a hospital bed at home for the final 9 months to keep him away from hospitals that he had been in and out of so much.
He passed away at home on 30/09/2010 at 46 years of age.
I was reminded of how precious life is and how we must take every opportunity to embrace happiness and have the courage to make life-long commitments to each other, as couples, family and friends.
Time waits for no-one. Time is precious and moments become important to us. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special whether a husband, wife, child or friend.
I am now writing a book to cover our journey and tell our story with my intention to bring hope, strength and courage during difficult times to others.
I am a member of the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants (AFCC).
I feel privileged to be able to participate in celebrations that mark significant events in people’s lives. All Rites of Passages are important, all based on love in some form, and I find Weddings, Renewal of Vows, Commitment of Love and Naming Ceremonies all to be a happy focus; whilst being part of a Funeral Service allows me to help give something back and help those at a time when the love for a lost one, is causing so much suffering and pain.
I love my work and I love my wedding couples I meet. Watching them smiling, laughing and chatting with each other on the couch on the other side of the coffee table, provides me with such warmth and helps me to continue in what can be an uncertain world.
I hope that if my couples can share half of what my Husband and I shared in our short time, then I wish that for them and know that they have something special.
Naming Ceremonies are a wonderful, joyous and happy family celebration where I meet many families all with so much love to give. I am fortunate to be invited into families’ homes, backyards and at other venues and I feel very privileged to play a part in their special day. Everyone from Godparents/Guardians, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Children and Friends all play an important role.
I have conducted my Father-in-law’s Funeral Service, my best friend’s Mothers and wrote and spoke at my own Husband’s Funeral – all of which were the most difficult times in my life.
Wanting to help others achieve the best ‘Celebration of Life Remembrance Ceremony’ acknowledging and recognising the beauty and the purpose of the life of their loved one with a personal and meaningful celebration is important to me, as I know how difficult it is to try and arrange this whilst you are grieving.
So I would like to think that by getting to know families through a time of grief that I am supporting, guiding and caring for them throughout this difficult time and so they do not feel that a stranger is leading the service.
It is often difficult to find the right path in life that will bring satisfaction, contentment and happiness and even more so, when that perfect path you had found becomes shattered and broken, in my case losing my beautiful Husband.
I feel fortunate that the love of my work and what I give and what it gives back to me, has allowed me to pick up some of the pieces and stay on the same path, which tells me that my Husband is here with me standing by my side, proud as ever of me and giving me strength to pursue the work I love doing and have always wanted to do.
