ASKACELEBRANT BLOG: Christmas in Australia by TCNA Celebrant Member Eunice Phipps

Christmas in Australia is always so darn hot;
If we could build a snowman, he would melt right on the spot.
Christmas in Australia is never white with snow;
Its boiling in the coolest shade, no matter where we go.
Christmas in Australia means there is no fireplace;
For Santa to step out of, with soot upon his face.

Christmas in Australia means we can’t ride down hills on sleds;
We’d have to use a billy cart and brave the roads instead.
Christmas in Australia means we cannot skate on ice;
Unless we go to skating rinks, and pay a hefty price.

Christmas in Australia, not a snow plough to be seen;
We do have trucks that sweep the street, to keep our cities clean.
Christmas in Australia and not a single reindeer in sight;
Here Santa uses Kangaroos, to pull him through the night.

Christmas in Australia, Santa’s suit is way too hot;
But still we see him struggle on, he must really sweat a lot.
Christmas in Australia and it’s way too hot to cook;
Our Christmas lunch is shared with flies, who want our cold cooked chook.

Christmas in Australia means there is no snow ball fight;
I guess we could throw ping pong balls…. at least they would be white.
Christmas in Australia no chestnuts to roast upon the fire;
But we can buy boiled peanuts; if that is our desire.

Christmas in Australia no real fir trees to decorate;
We all use the store bought ones, and some look really great.
Christmas in Australia is as hot as hot can be;
But my Christmas in Australia, is the only place for me.
Because it’s shared with you my friend,
And my precious family.

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, New Year!

by Eunice Phipps

How do you and your partner celebrate your anniversaries? And what is it that you celebrate - the anniversary of first meeting, first moving in together or more traditionally, your wedding anniversary?

First thing of course is to remember the date!  This can be tricky as many of us know but it is usually greatly appreciated so well worth doing! 

Perhaps you are looking for a different and special way to celebrate this year.  Maybe it is a significant anniversary for you for some reason. It may be the number - 1st, 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries are often deemed more special,  But it may also be something else that is special this year - overcoming difficulties together, starting your family, having the last child leave home - the reasons are as individual as the couples who are celebrating.

Why not think about engaging a celebrant from the The Celebrants Network (TCN) to design and conduct a ceremony that meets your individual needs?  You can find a celebrant near you on our website .  You can also find lots of information about different ceremonies for anniversaries.  

Our TCN founder Rona Goold and her husband Steve had their 21st Wedding Anniversary last year and they asked TCN Celebrant Robyn Lenahan to conduct a ceremony for them.  

Rona made a YouTube video using pictures from their wedding to use as part of the ceremony, an example of an original idea that had significance for the guests at their celebration.  You can watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua6Qv2Yn5_o&feature=youtu.be and enjoy the original song "I Wish For You" performed by the Two Macs which was first performed at Rona and Steve's wedding.

Tell us about your ideas for celebrating anniversaries by commenting below.

What do you do if your wife of nearly 25 years is taken from you due to liver cancer; and you are left with six children; five of them under sixteen years of age? This was the very sad future that faced Bill (not his real name) several years ago. He was serving in Afghanistan when he was informed his wife was seriously ill. Unfortunately; he was unable to leave for several days because of a concerted rocket attack. He was concerned his children might lose both parents. Less than a year after arriving home; his darling lost her battle.  His life began to unravel. One of his daughters; in her early teens, took on the mature role of keeping the family strong. Time passed; and as if dreams do come true; he met a lady who helped him smile again. He fell in love with her. Time passed some more; and she loved his children; and they, in time loved her.  On the 18th of April, 2013; I was their Marriage Celebrant. They were married in the garden, with many of his service comrades as witnesses. His five daughters and first grandaughter were there beside him to celebrate this special moment with him; this second chance at love.

For some; love does come again; sweetly, to fulfill dreams; even if they be the dreams of children.

Our new TCN mobile website has loads of information on celebrants, ceremonies and celebrations for everyone  

http://www.celebrations.org.au/everyone. Topics such as - Fast find an Australian celebrant; Weddings and love ceremonies; Celebrating every stage of life; Ceremonies for loss and grief; Celebrations supplier directory; Win with a gold rose celebrant; About civil celebrants; About civil ceremonies.

Subscribe to this free Ask A Celebrant - TCN Blog now on : http://www.celebrations.org.au/everyone

Looking for an interesting Professional Development (OPD) experience?

Why not consider a One Day of our National TCN Inc Sydney Conference? Each day counts as 5 hours OPD provided you choose a 2 hour Compulsory Activity Option face-to-face at the Conference or online via TCN Forums, (starts 11/12 May) at no extra cost, for more choice

Of course you are also most welcome to join us for both days too.

This weeks featured celebrant is Gwen Stevenson from Cairns QLD.

Hi. My name is Gwen Stevenson, and I am an Authorised Civil Marriage Celebrant in beautiful Far North Queensland. I have lived in Cairns since 1983 and feel I have a very good feel of our lovely area and the fantastic locations the North has to offer for Wedding Ceremonies and other Life Celebrations.

My Celebrant profession is on a part time basis at the moment, and I work full time for a family owned Resort in Cairns looking after their Administration requirements. I would love to be able to carry out the Celebrancy work on a full time basis though, and that is the goal I am working toward.

This weeks featured celebrant is Sue Lee-Archer from Launceston TAS.

Born and raised in Melbourne, I attended Prahran Tech and RMIT, studying commerce. Then got into music at age 18, and performed as a folk singer and musician (guitar). I've always worked as a stenographer/ secretary and had an interest in writing. In fact, I submitted a short story for the Alan Marshall Short Story writing awards in 2009, but alas, no luck.

In 1976, I moved to Launceston and got into folk-rock (electric bass and vocals). However I'm no longer regularly involved with performing, but play cello, and am teaching myself violin and piano.Since 1996 I've worked for my husband as office manager . A long time interest in craft work is one of my passions, and I'm sharing a site with a friend at the Deloraine Craft Fair, Tasmania, November this year. WHOOPPEE!! - so hard to get into.

ASKACELEBRANT BLOG:

A Message from the National Chairperson of our Australian celebrant peak body for marriage celebrants - The Coalition of Celebrant Associations.

Dear Colleagues

It is with saddened hearts the Coalition of Celebrants Association (CoCA) Inc wishes to inform all our colleagues in the celebrancy world that Robyn Caine our CoCA Chairperson until 2 days ago and  founding member of CoCA passed away this afternoon. Robyn will always be a treasured part of our lives and her work will live on in the fabric of our celebrancy world and beyond.

May Robyn’s family, friends and colleagues have peace of mind and heart in saying farewell to such a courageous and gracious lady, find  support needed in the times ahead when Robyn’s presence will be missed and give thanks for having the privilege of sharing Robyn’s love and  journey through life.

Tributes for Robyn may be placed on a special webpage CoCA has set up here on the CoCA website.

Kindest regards

Dorothy Harrison
CoCA Chairperson & MCA Delegate

This weeks featured celebrant is Eunice Phipps from South Brisbane QLD.

I come from a loving family background and have been married now for forty years. I have two children and four grandchildren. I have always been creative and as a twelve year old I learnt oil painting and still love to paint. For many years I have been involved in my community first teaching the art of calligraphy and then folk art which I am still actively teaching today. I have always enjoyed creative writing and have written many poems through the years, including my annual Christmas Verse.

This weeks featured celebrant is Marlee Bruinsma from the Gold Coast QLD.

When my first two children came along in rapid succession, I was working as a busy lawyer in a country practice in Victoria. As a new mother, I could not keep up with the frenetic (frenzied and frantic!) pace of my job, which seemed to require 60 to 80 hours of work each week, so I decided to take some time off to be with my children. 

When they were a little older, I moved back to my home State – Queensland. Oh joy – no more wrapping them in layers of clothes against the cold – singlets and nappies were the order of the day and only one load of washing a day instead of three. Later came a couple more children and I was lucky to be able to settle on an acreage in the Gold Coast hinterland, close enough to the bright lights but also by the side of a creek, where we have platypus and fish, wallabies and koalas (and chickens!).

This weeks featured celebrant is Kathy McKimm from Gippsland VIC.

I'm a Kiwi by birth, and an Aussie by choice!! I have 2 sons both at Melbourne University, and by day I manage a Medical Practice. I'm a nurse/midwife and have always enjoyed working with people from all walks of life and place family values high on my list of priorities.

This weeks featured celebrant is Liane Kirwan from Brisbane QLD.

My name is Liane Kirwan and I am an Authorised Marriage Celebrant and Justice of the Peace (Qualified). I am also a Speech and Drama Teacher, and, being a bit of an actor, I thought Celebrancy would be right up my alley.

So, about 15 years ago, I enquired about becoming a Marriage Celebrant and used to make a phone call to Canberra every year or so to see if they were appointing more Celebrants. I was delighted to find out, after years of waiting, they were accepting more Marriage Celebrants, so I completed my training and was registered in September 2007.

This weeks featured celebrant is Jacqueline Anstey from Melbourne, VIC.

Hi, I am a registered marriage celebrant,and have extensive public speaking experience (over 12 years).

In my previous life, I was a corporate trainer and presenter, including some stints overseas. I also dabbled in project management and commenced a counselling course as well.

My long term training job finally came to an end at a similar time to me becoming a parent. What was I to do? I was excited about the opportunity to reinvent myself and being able to choose a career which balanced home and work life.

This weeks featured celebrant is Glenda Ashurst from Brisbane QLD.

As a child I lived on a farm so it was therefore necessary to attend boarding school for my education. I was fortunate that extra tuition was available for Elocution and Drama training which I feel has stood me in good stead for projecting my voice and the ability to perform in front of a lot of people for presentation at ceremonies, even though I am still a little nervous. A colleague told me recently that was good because it meant I still cared about my couples and the quality of my work.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG: (www.celebrants.org.au) Customer Satisfaction rankings - Australia’s leading business review website womo.com.au (word of mouth online) has released new research revealing civil celebrants in the nation’s top 10 best  performers for customer satisfaction.

This weeks featured celebrant is Elizabeth Wilkie from Brisbane, QLD.

My name is Elizabeth Wilkie and I am a newly appointed Celebrant as of June 2009. I’ve been married to Anthony for nearly 20 years now and we have two beautiful boys Paul 16 and Christopher 14. Anthony and I run a small building renovation business which has given me the flexibility to stay home with the boys. I have also worked part time in retail which I loved except the hours were a bit of a juggle especially when the kids were little.

This weeks featured celebrant is Pamela Fynan from Parramatta, NSW.

I live in the heart of Parramatta and grew up here, I went to school at Macarthur Girl’s High School. My Parents came from Millthorpe and Orange and moved to Camden in NSW before settling in Parramatta.

Mainly of a Scottish heritage I am a member of the Mackay Clan and I have relatives in Edinburgh Scotland.

I am Mother to two lovely Daughters and Nana to three beautiful Grandchildren.

I became interested in being a celebrant years ago. As a Justice of The Peace I like serving the Community. I did actually apply in the ‘80’s but there was a cap on the numbers and by the time the Attorney General contacted me years later I had changed direction.

This week featured celebrant is Sonia Collins from Batemans Bay NSW.

My name is Sonia Collins and I am a Civil Celebrant in Batemans Bay, New South Wales.   This is a very popular area for weddings, with couples coming from Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, and country towns across NSW and Vic, as well as our local area. The area has great venues for weddings and for receptions and with the natural beauty of the coast and the bush it is not surprising that Batemans Bay is a first choice for many couples especially those with happy memories of time spent here on holidays.I have enjoyed a satisfying career in Human Resource Management and my interest in people led me to undertake the training to become a Marriage Celebrant.

This weeks featured celebrant is Anna Wong from Melbourne VIC.

My name is Anna Wong and I am a mother of 3, a grandmother of 3, a  registered civil celebrant, trained nurse, midwife and childbirth educator.

I was born and brought up in England, trained as a nurse and midwife in London and moved to Singapore in 1980 with my Chinese Singaporean Husband. He was a General Surgeon, I a Nurse, and, in a stereotyped manner, our eyes met over an operating table....... I founded my own health education centre called Birth & Beyond in 1985 and quickly became a leader in the field of childbirth education and parenting. I spent over 24 years educating, supporting, empowering and inspiring women and their partners through pregnancy, birth and beyond in Singapore and Indonesia. 

This weeks featured celebrant is Jenni Bolton from Melbourne VIC.

My name is Jenni Bolton and I was registered as a Civil Celebrant in September 2005. Since then I have officiated at many weddings,  renewal of vows, namings and funerals.I am a secondary school teacher now working part-time to allow me time to look after my 4 grandchildren with another one on the way.I was attracted to training to become a celebrant because I love working with people to achieve a goal, and I suppose my background in education and theology gave me the confidence and the skills needed to successfully fulfill the role.

This weeks featured celebrant is Pat Slee now in Brisbane, recently moved from Fraser Coast QLD.

I encountered my first wedding when I was 19 a little while before I was to head off for National Service. I found it a strange mix of traditions and mutterings and took it all in.The next one was my own, after I came back from Nashos and got my head back together, (well 95% anyway.)

What a tangled mess of religious hypocrisy that was. A confused Agnostic marrying a non-active Catholic in a Methodist Church because the Catholics and the Church of England’s would not have either of us… and my fiancee’ wasn’t even pregnant at the time!

Civil Funerals . . .

QUOTE: From Sydney Morning Herald.

THE popularity of I Did It My Way as a funeral song shows a ''vulgar egotism'' exists in society, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, says.

In his last presidential speech before retirement, Dr Jensen said society's shift towards ''deadly individualism'' had been driven by material wealth and technological mastery.

The cost of individualism, and the shift to self-love, had consequences for the quality of our community, family life and how we treat death. That was evident in the choice of ''our swan song of this generation'', Frank Sinatra's classic I Did It My Way, Dr Jensen said in his speech, titled ''Last Words''.

Reference: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/gods-way-smarter-than-sinatras-says-jensen-20121008-279nb.html

Yes I would agree with many people, that the challenge for us all is to balance our needs as an individual with the needs of our community.

I find Jensen's comments confusing. I understood that Christianity was one of the major promoters of the need to respect each individual - for the need to support and promote human rights. Otherwise, where a community feels threatened by a few or even by the one, as in the recent shooting of the 14 year old Pakistani school-girl, Malala Yousafzai, not just one but large section of humanity are devalued.

This morning I watched with great pride as one of my colleagues, Kevin Clune, commemorated the 10th Anniversary of the Bali Bombings, in Kings Park, Perth. The sensitivity and empathy that was shown by Kevin was outstanding. 

The ceremony acknowledged the loss and the ongoing pain that those that were there still experience, not forgetting those who lost family members/friends, as well as inspiring hope for the future. 

Cutting the broadcast short to enable the Victorian service to be shown was so disappointing.  Melbourne's service was solemn with little connection to those who still bear the scars.  It is interesting that different faiths were invited to participate - but where was the civil celebrant who represents people with little or no faith?  There was, what I believe an inappropriate reading from Ecclesiastes 'A time to be born, a time to die'.  While this may be appropriate for someone who has led a long and fulfilled life, how does that relate to someone whose life was taken in an act of terrorism? 

For that matter, how many of those who were affected were regular church goers?

I should make note here that with the coverage ABC24 hours had, I have not seen the complete service anywhere.  What was easy to pick up though was the tone.  Victoria - Amazing Grace. WA - Wishing you were here (Pink Floyd). 

They were young people who lost their lives, which was the most appropriate? 

A civil celebrant creates, writes and presents a ceremony - they have no doctrine to follow, nor any constraints, other than common decency, and yet when are they invited to be involved in such services? 

Ministers from many faiths are invited as not to offend anyone. 

I am a full time civil funeral celebrant, if faith was so important to the majority of people, why are 60% of funerals now conducted by civil celebrants like myself? 

I'm not saying we should not have church involvement, I'm just asking why those 60% of people who chose a celebrant are not represented by a Civil Celebrant? 

There are many civil celebrants who do good work for the community!  Kevin didn't get paid and yet spent countless hours making sure that it was a ceremony that would touch the hearts and minds of those who attended. 

Myself and a group of colleagues put on a memorial service for Father's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas - of our own free will, raising our own funds in order to do something for the community. 

Many of us volunteer and conduct ceremonies for Relay for Life (Cancer Victoria) and many other community functions. 

A civil celebrant understands ceremony - it is what we do! 

Why then, do the powers that be, completely overlook us? 

The community needs to understand that we are more than willing to help our society in any way we can, but often we don't even know about it until it is too late.

So if you have a community occasion coming up - ask a celebrant to help, someone who understands the power of ceremony. 

A Meditation for Those Left behind . . . .

Author: Robyn O'Connell

We must not, and should not, forget that for some the hurt will never go away.

It’s here again,
where did that time go!
There’s a hole in my heart,
though no one would know

Strangers see me walking
and talking like normal folk do
But they can’t see what is inside,
a heart that is still broken in two

Yes I go on with life
and I try to hide my pain
Even if I told others of it
what good would it gain?

Sometimes I tire of the pity
or the ‘oh sorry’ they say
Their life too
could change in just one day

Don’t think I have forgotten
Even though it’s been so long
You come to mind so easily
Even listening to a song

And so few will know the pain on days like this
or the ache that always stays
Because sometimes it is not just this time of year
but so many of my days.

Robyn O'Connell CMC, Dip MC, FC, Cert IV in Training & Assessment
Celebrant, Author, Funeral Celebrant Trainer & Workplace Trainer
Silver Celebrants
P O Box 5116, Ringwood, Vic, 3134 Tel:  (03) 9005 7175  Mob:  0425 726 246
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Find our more about Robyn on www.silvercelebrants.com.au  

Member: Celebrants & Celebrants Network Australia
Member: The Celebrants Network Incorporated

"And can it be, that in a world so full and busy, the loss of one creature, makes a void so wide and deep that nothing but the width and depth of eternity can fill it up!"  Charles Dickens

A celebrant friend  did a talk on Rituals in Modern Society for a local club.

As the session progressed, it became apparent that the group had little idea of the role of a civil celebrant.

"And how do you go about planning the reception?" was one question, indicating a confusion with wedding planners.

My friend's response "Would you ask that question of a minister or priest?"

This weeks featured celebrant is Lorraine Stokes from Port Stephens NSW.

I am happily married with 2 married children, one granddaughter and another grandchild on the way. I worked in the finance industry for over 30 years and during that time often did public speaking at conferences, seminars and staff nights so was reasonably comfortable standing out the front and speaking to groups of people. I left that industry 12 months ago and also moved from the Blue Mountains to the Port Stephens area so I have really had a sea change. What made me become a Celebrant was my attendance at 2 weddings within 2 months of each other both conducted by Celebrants. The first was beautiful well written and very personal the second one was over in what seemed a flash with no feeling. I felt sorry for the Groom (who was my nephew) and Bride and thought everyone deserves a beautiful wedding day, I had a number of friends and family come up to me after the second wedding and say they felt I would have done a better job of it.

This weeks featured celebrant is Lise Rodgers from Northcote, Melbourne VIC.

It was in 2006 that I first contemplated becoming a civil celebrant. That year it seemed as though every one I knew was either getting married, having children, or losing a loved one. I’d never been to so many weddings in one year and apart from the pleasure of sharing the celebrations, I found myself beginning to compare the occasions.

Why did one ceremony stand out more than another? Did I as a guest enjoy and relate to what I was watching and hearing?

An odd approach you might think, but then my background is as a professional performer. With a couple of stand out exceptions, some of the ceremonies were ok and the rest were uninspiring. The couples concerned were people that I knew well, yet the ceremony seemed to have nothing to do with them - rather they were long winded, full of generalised clichés, poorly delivered and not engaging.

TCNA is celebrating our Ruby Anniversary of the first Civil Marriage Celebrant in Australia - so I've written a little review via my personal life but this is reflected in over 70,000 marriages each year in Australia.

Truly an Australian success story :-)
http://www.celebrants.org.au/ask-a-TCNa-celebrant/stories/celebrating-civil-celebrants-ruby-anniversary/

And one we take for granted every week  around our amazing country.

Let's celebrate

Rona Goold

Celebrants & Celebrations Network Australia
Coordinator.

This weeks featured celebrant is Daphne Cole from Canberra ACT.

I am a Canberra mother of three, married for over 30 years. I love helping couples create a personalised service to celebrate their special wedding day.

I perform weddings, reaffirmation of vows and baby naming ceremonies in locations in and around Canberra and the NSW South Coast. I plan to continue my passion well into the future, operating from the beautiful coastal town of Tomakin.

I enjoy travelling to nearby towns to do ceremonies and think that Canberra and nearby NSW surrounds have some of the most beautiful formal and informal venues to celebrate special occasions.

I love visiting the chapels, gardens, lakes, beaches and home backyards and helping people choose the ceremony that is right for them and their situation.

This weeks featured celebrant is Dianne Sherrington from Townsville North Queensland.

I have worked in the meat industry for 30 years the last 10 years was in the training program, as I have a Certificate 4 in Assessment and Workplace Training, I was conducting in a class room of up to 50 people all inductions for the new employees. Teaching new employees skills required for the task they must performed.

I feel this role has given me the opportunity to feel relaxed and confident to stand in front of a large crowd and perform my ceremonies.

This weeks featured celebrant is Wayne Loughrey from Perth Western Australia.

For the last 40 years I have been involved in the Australian agricultural industry, firstly in NSW and Victoria finally settling down 26 years ago in WA with our family in Lesmurdie. My wife Rosemary and I have been married for 38 years this year and we have both travelled to various countries throughout the world and have now just about completed our list of places to travel. I am and have been involved in many community groups such as Rostrum, Apex, Local Bush Fire Brigade, Masonic Lodge, RSL, and previously a member of the management committee of the South of Perth Yacht Club.

Being a  Civil Celebrant means that we are creating Ceremonies of love for  people within the community.  Ceremonies that Recognise and Celebrate the milestones in a person’s life. 

It does not matter whether it is a Marriage ,  Naming,  Commitment, Anniversary, Birthday, Rite of Passage, a Funeral or Memorial, a  Ceremony attached to any  Celebration adds meaning and enables the love to be shared by all who attend.

We Celebrants love what we do;  We love being able to create meaningful and memorable ceremonies for  people;  and in the words of Leo Buscalia, “We don’t love to be loved, we love to love!”  

On the 9^th and 10^th June in Melbourne at the Amora Hotel in Richmond, there will  be the opportunity for Celebrants to join together  to share experiences, to learn, to get to know each other and to celebrate and to share the love. 

It would be wonderful to see lots of Celebrants at the conference.  To find out more about this go to:

http://www.celebrations.org.au/blog/entry/general/invitation-celebrant-conference-not-to-miss

Proudly sponsored by:

Relationships Australia

It is difficult to say goodbye to those we love but options of how we do this are increasing.  Have you thought of an Honouring Ceremony? In our modern society the options of where and how we say goodbye are ever changing.  I recently officiated at a ceremony honouring a much loved mother and grandmother - it was beautiful. 

The Honouring Ceremony was held in a beautiful open chapel within the Cemetery – what a beautiful location with the wind gently caressing the cheeks of her family (it felt like her spirit passing by) and the birds singing in the surrounding trees.  The family decorated the area with symbols in a beautiful tribute to their mother and grandma. 

The Ceremony started with a Candle Lighting in her memory and in memory of all others who had passed away due to cancer as this was very important to the family.  All her grandchildren participated in the Honouring Ceremony doing what they felt comfortable with – their love for the Grandma was obvious.

Before the Committal a verse ‘The Rainbow Bridge’ as recited, it was so appropriate and read beautifully by her Granddaughter.  After the Committal the family and friends covered the coffin with beautiful colourful rose petals – she was in her rainbow.

It was an intimate yet dignified honouring and goodbye to a beloved lady in the manner that she wished and in a manner that they found comfort with.  

This weeks featured celebrant is Barry Blundell from Tumut, Riverina and Snowy Moutains Area.

After completing high school at Tumut NSW; I moved to Sydney where I commenced a long career with the Post Master General’s Department (later to become Telstra). I returned to my home town ten years later, as an employee of Telstra in a customer service representative role. I have become more familiar with my local area and nearby regions of New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

This weeks featured celebrant is Sheryl Massey from the Gold Coast.

My name is Sheryl Massey and I reside on the southern Gold Coast, just below the Qld. border in Banora Point NSW.Originally from Melbourne, although I was raised in Maffra, Gippsland in Victoria. My partner & I moved up to the Gold Coast 20 years ago and we just love it here, and wouldn’t live anywhere else. There are so many beautiful locations for a special ceremony, beaches, parks, gardens, resorts, the hinterland, rainforests etc.I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of two granddaughters and three grandsons, they all live in south Queensland, we are a very close family.I have worked in many areas over my working years, hairdressing, cosmetics retail & promotion, secretarial, medical administration.

This weeks featured celebrant is Meg L'Estrange from Eltham Victoria.

I am Meg L'Estrange, a celebrant for all occasions, a former teacher and school counsellor, and a family woman with three adult sons.

While I was teaching I experienced the death of my mother. When my dad had died two years earlier, she was so distressed by the funeral he was given, which was totally inappropriate for him, that she said, 'Let no man of the cloth come near me when I die!'

There are many things to consider when choosing a Celebrant for your special celebration ...

Some people go on first impressions or “gut feelings”. Others choose on price – the least or most expensive. Yet others look for value for money.

Each of these on its own is rather limited when you consider the celebration can never be repeated!  So, what should you look for ?