The Celebrants Network Inc - BLOG

*  The creation of our brand new and improved website - more user friendly and easier to navigate, while still housing all the resources, articles, directories and forums that you could ever need.

* Our wonderful two day conference at the Novotel in Darling Harbour Sydney where our members met with old and new friends, heard some fabulous inspiring speakers and completed their annual professional development obligations.  

TCN is a national organisation that primarily communicates online, so it is possible for everyone to join in and participate in discussions and projects no matter where you are in Australia.  We are also continuing to build up a strong presence on social media with pages on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram

Our TCN Committee is a group of volunteers committed to supporting our members as well as strengthening the professionalism and expertise of all civil celebrants through our active involvement in the peak body, CoCA.

TCN members elect a new committee each year at the AGM in March, and we are very happy to welcome our new Committee for 2016-2017.

We very much look forward to a year of community, harmony, OPD days and special projects throughout the year. 

All celebrants and non-celebrant Affiliates are welcome to join TCN - Visit our webpage and see the fabulous resources and benefits we offer our Members.

Congratulations to our lovely Lyn Knorr

Lyn achieves 40 years today as civil celebrant having been appointed in Australia on 24th July 1973, the second Civil Marriage Celebrant appointed in Australia and the first  in Victoria.

Celebrants and Celebrations Network Australia - TCN is privileged to have Lyn Knorr as one of our founding TCN Inc Committee members and a TCN Life Member. 

And with some long-timers at the 40 the Anniversary last Friday of the appointment of the first Civil Marriage Celebrant, Lois D'Arcy.

Lyn shared some of her memories of the Early Days at a 2005 celebrant conference. 

We thank her for her faithful service to the Australian public and our civil celebrancy profession and wish her all the very best in the years ahead.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG
www.askacelebrant.org.au

Although we all have our own unique encounters, it is these life moments that provide the essential basis for empathy and compassion to others. When combining these elements, it made perfect sense to choose a career as a celebrant.

After completing my Certificate IV in Celebrancy in June, I officially became a registered marriage celebrant on 23 August, 2014. Hooray!

Over the years, I have worn a few hats in my time - as an artist, writer, performer, teacher, administrator, coordinator and manager. Now I have chosen to specialise in life celebrations.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG
www.askacelebrant.org.au

Then as we begin to talk, it turns out that really what a couple don’t want is a ceremony or language that isn’t relevant to them.

They don’t want something that will make them feel awkward or embarrassed in being the centre of attention. Often they don’t realise that apart from the mandatory legal inclusions in a ceremony, there is no set way of doing things. Rather, with the guidance of an experienced, caring celebrant, there is freedom of choice to create a ceremony that makes them feel comfortable.

So whether your ceremony lasts for 10, 20 or 30 minutes, if it is about you and your story - then it can’t help but be the highlight of your wedding day – or as one of the first couples I married wrote:

 “You made us realise that the ceremony was not just something that we “had to have” before our party began, but something that we “could have” and remember all our lives”

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG

www.askacelebrant.org.au

I was born in Northern Ireland and came to Australia in 1975. Got married in Australia in 1975 and moved to Goulburn in 1976 with the intention of staying for the three years required by the Department of Education.

The Goulburn area certainly grew on us and it was a very good area to raise our three sons and for us to be part of a great rural community and so we are still here.

We now have five beautiful grandchildren in different parts of NSW.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG:
www.askacelebrant.org.au

My wife and I were married by a Civil Celebrant in our back garden. I believe this was the catalyst that set me on the path of where I am today. After further study I received a Certificate in Funeral Celebrancy and another in Marriage Celebrancy and in 2009 was appointed as a Marriage Celebrant by the Attorney General.

My most special memory is of marrying a couple who had been together for many years. When the groom was diagnosed with cancer they chose to marry before he became too ill. I was then honoured a few months later when asked to perform the funeral service.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG:
www.askacelebrant.org.au

The greatest thing about being a celebrant is meeting so many different people from all walks of life. What a privilege it is to formalise a couple's marriage or to welcome a new baby into the world! Ann believes that everyone should have a ceremony which truthfully expresses the importance of their particular life event.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG
www.celebrant.org.au

Celebrant's background

Christine says "I have run my own business for 25 years. Before that I was a specialist medical rep and also worked in recruitment for a while. I have worked with many different people on many different levels. I am also an author and I have several blogs about personal development."

What attracted you to celebrancy?

I decided to become a celebrant because I was concerned that many people had turned away from the church but still wanted to experience the spiritual content of their vows and the important rites of passage in life.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG
www.celebrants.org.au

I lived in the North West of Western Australia which is a wonderful beautiful place. For myself and my family it presented opportunity for varied work and living experiences and some great memories.I’ve had the opportunity to work and study in various areas such as community agencies family support services, tourism and administration in the health industry.

Moving back to the city of Perth brought about a lot of change for my family. The more I thought about this the more

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG
www.celebrants.org.au

Hi there!  My name is Gina Callan and I am a Civil Marriage Celebrant living in Lyons in the ACT. 

My professional background is varied but includes many years working as a Registered Nurse and then as a Government Administrator in Health and Ageing, time as a Community mediator, in disability care, and as a trainer and educator.  I’ve managed complaints, taught first aid and facilitated accredited and non-accredited training courses. 

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG
www.celebrants.org.au

Marzia Magris is a former Victorian Public Servant with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, with a Degree and Graduate Diploma in teaching, career counselor, school industry work experience and vocational learning.  Marzia has 32 years as a professional educationalist having worked in secondary schools, and as an Executive Director of a not-for-profit program linking business and schools. Also active work in pioneering hospitality studies and early introduction to secondary schools with a background in food and hospitality she is author and writer of a VCE study and school/TAFE text for Hospitality studies and taught apprentice cooks at TAFE. 

She was a Ministerial Adviser to the Minister for Education over a three year period and has been involved in many Victorian State education launches, events, openings, conferences and award ceremonies.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG
Celebrants for adding a ceremony to you next special occasion
www.celebrants.org.au

Becoming a celebrant was something I have wanted to do for a number of years. I loved the idea of being part of celebrations which were joyous, positive and meaningful. However, it was only after I retired from my position as a school principal, I was able to find the time to devote to the training.

ASK A CELEBRANT BLOG

Before becoming a registered celebrant in August of 2011, being a celebrant was not a career which had ever entered my mind.  My pursuits up to then had revolved around sport - being a secondary school Physical Education/Science teacher and later having my own massage and personal training businesses.
 
A girlfriend of mine began a wedding planners course, and suggested I would make a good celebrant.

ASK A CELEBRANT - FEATURED CELEBRANT

"Sports over the years have played a major part of my life being as a player and as a committee member and I am a life member of a local football and sports club". shares Paul Watts from Perth WA.

"Over many years both family and friends have encouraged me to become a marriage Celebrant which I did and was registered in January 2010."

"I enjoy public speaking and over many years have been the Master of Ceremonies at numerous weddings, birthdays, engagement parties, funerals and various other occasions."

Read more about Paul and other celebrants in our ASK A CELEBRANT profiles and snapshots section.

ASK A CELEBRANT - FEATURED CELEBRANT

One of my first weddings was an outdoor wedding and the week leading up to the event had been cloudy, there had been afternoon storms and blustery winds. I asked my bride and groom what if it rained on the day.

They were a fairly young couple but just so amazing, mature and sensible.

From ASKACELEBRANT: www.askacelebrant.org.au
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Many thanks to Helen for providing her profile.

Wollongong Helen Rice Authorised Civil Celebrant - Appointed February 2009