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May
10

What is a family?

This week is National Families Week, coinciding with the International Day of Families on May 15.  These events are about highlighting and celebrating the vital role that families play in our communities. Celebrant Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW takes a look at the many different family groups that make up our society.

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Feb
13

NSW Seniors Festival 2020

NSW Seniors Festival is happening during the week of 12-23 February.  The theme for this year’s festival is “Love to Celebrate”.  What a great topic for all of us at The Celebrants Network to embrace!  

In the spirit of this year’s festival, The Celebrants Network and Celebrant Mel Lawson bring you 5 things to celebrate about getting older...

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Rhonda Allen

Celebrate health

These are excellent points and good to be reminded sometimes of the good things about ageing, I agree with all you have said, Mel.... Read More
Thursday, 13 February 2020 12:59
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Jan
29

The five stages of grief

Loss and grief affect all of us.  We can experience loss through the death of a family member; a relationship breakup; or the loss of a home – as we have seen so much of in the recent fires across Australia.  Join Celebrant and regular blogger, Melane Lawson as she takes us through the five stages of grief.
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Recent Comments
Susanne Middlewood

Thanks

Hi Melanie, Thanks for your comment. I would love to write a blog sometime in the future. best wishes,Sue
Monday, 03 February 2020 14:36
Melanie Lawson

Feedback always welcome

Thanks for your feedback Susanne; it is appreciated. The Celebrants Network social media team would love to hear from you if y... Read More
Saturday, 01 February 2020 17:34
Melanie Lawson

Models of the grief process

Hi Susanne, Yes you are right there are many theories and models to help us understand the grieving process. I’m sorry if this ar... Read More
Thursday, 30 January 2020 14:58
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Dec
11

Dealing with Nerves

Many of us feel anxious about public speaking or being the centre of attention.  Added to this, if you are getting married to taking a central part in an important ceremony such as funeral or baby naming, you may have the added anxiety of getting your part ‘right’.  The Celebrants Network's resident guest blogger, Mel Lawson is here to let us in on some ways to calm those nerves...

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Nov
11

Remembrance Day 11 November 2019

On November 11 Australia, along with all Commonwealth countries will honour Remembrance Day in recognition of the day the guns fell silent at the end of World War One. After four years of warfare and the loss of millions of lives, an armistice was signed to take effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November, 1918.

Today we have our regular guest blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW, recognising Remembrance Day. 

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Trevor Hayley

Thank you Michelle

Great sentiments. Yes what is it about ceremony? It just feels like we need to 'do' something.
Monday, 11 November 2019 20:43
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Nov
07

"What Could Possibly Go Wrong" - Be Prepared!

Celebrants are involved in a wide range of ceremonies, often held outside involving children, dogs, emotional family members and people taking part in rituals for the first time in their lives. What could go wrong? The answer is anything and everything!

Today we have our regular guest blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW raising awareness of potential calamities in your ceremonies and tips on how to be prepared.

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ILONA BIRTHA

reminder

good point, Melanie thank you for reminding
Thursday, 07 November 2019 18:27
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Oct
09

Love is in the air – Renewing Your Wedding Vows

Spring brings warmer weather, a sense of hope and optimism, and a revival and renewal of plants and animals. Flowers bloom, and baby birds, cows and sheep appear across the country. Spring is also the busiest time of the year for weddings and many people are enjoying attending weddings as a guest, member of the bridal party or the happy couple themselves. This sense of love and excitement may inspire happily married couples to renew their wedding vows.
TCN Celebrant and today's guest and regular blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW talks about the renewing wedding vows.

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Oct
03

Ceremonies for Children and Young People

School holidays are here and many of us are spending more time with the young people in our lives. For Year 12 students, school and childhood are coming to an end as they prepare for final exams next term and a transition to adulthood. TCN Celebrant and today's guest blogger Melanie Lawson from Oberon, NSW talks about the different types of ceremonies we celebrate with children.

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Trevor Hayley

Thank you Melanie

Thanks Melanie for you insight. Yes, I was aware when my three were born, the responsibility we have to give them a name. I love t... Read More
Friday, 04 October 2019 17:13
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Aug
29

Celebrating fathers

This Sunday, the 1st of September is Father’s Day across Australia.  A day to celebrate the involvement of fathers of every size and shape in the care and development of our children and the support of our families.  Today's blog is written by TCN Celebrant, Melanie Lawson from Greater Western Sydney.

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Guest — Shirley Naylor

Malt Loaf

My Dad has a deep and abiding love of Malt Loaf, the traditional Yorkshire variety, eaten with a strong tasty cheese. I am making ... Read More
Friday, 30 August 2019 00:16
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Jul
25

D2KDay – 8 August 2019

DTK Day is on 8th August 2019. To quote the Dying to Know Day website "Too many of us are dying in a way not consistent with our values or wishes. Too often, we feel ill-equipped to support loved ones who are dying, caring or grieving. Dying to Know Day is designed to change this by activating conversations and curiosity."

Today’s blog is written by TCN Committee Member, Melanie Lawson. https://www.celebrations.org.au/find/celebrant-directory/2521-melanie-lawson
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Recent Comments
ILONA BIRTHA

assisting in dying with dignit...

I have the conversation with individuals with different background
Monday, 29 July 2019 12:56
Roslyn McFarlane

D2K a great initiative

I am looking forward to starting the conversation in my area.
Thursday, 25 July 2019 17:31
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Jun
03

The Great Outdoors - Planning a successful outdoor ceremony

An outdoor ceremony can take a lot of planning and today, TCN Celebrant and Guest Blogger, Melanie Lawson from Richmond, NSW is taking us through all the ins and outs...
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Guest — Andrew Whitbread-Brown

Plan B

I planned my first wedding in my bush garden on our garden deck. Plan B was under the house is a largish covered area. The mornin... Read More
Wednesday, 12 June 2019 12:05
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Apr
29

The Seriousness of Underage Marriages & Forced Marriages

Underage marriage is a sensitive and complex issue that affects communities around the world.  This issue impacts on women and girls who marry at a young age and often without giving consent.  Our guest blogger, TCN Celebrant Melanie Lawson - takes us through the stats and legalities of underage and forced marriage...

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Guest — Jenny Grierson

how things change!

It's hard to believe, but when I was a Social Worker in the Welfare system in Victoria a lifetime ago (in the 1960s) there was a c... Read More
Friday, 03 May 2019 17:19
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