The attention I have received from the media was exceptional, as the first marriage celebrant in New South Wales. I believe in no small way because of my background [coming from the model world]
This publicity meant within a very short period of time every person in Australia had heard about marriage celebrants. I will always appreciate this interest shown by the media, which continues to this day.
Because of this interest I have performed wedding ceremonies and conducted interviews on most of the television shows, films, radio stations, news papers and magazines throughout Australia and around the world.
I was modelling and teaching at the June Dally-Watkins Model Agency and Deportment School when the Attorney General of Australia the late Lionel Keith Murphy authorized me to perform wedding ceremonies in the States and Territories throughout Australia and ‘Civil Marriage Celebrants’ were created
Looking back over the years, it is clear to me why I was chosen, being a model is a great training ground for punctuality, good grooming, and knowing how important it is for couples, that the person they have chosen to perform their ceremony is beautifully groomed so as not to detract from the appearance of their ‘bridal party’.
The role I perform places me with the bridal party and many videos and photographs are taken during the wedding ceremony.
To ensure this will always be the case a great deal of time is spent on my wardrobe to maintain that elegance and where possible wearing the same colour as the groom, best man or father of the bride, ensuring another colour will not be added.
These experiences have enabled me to project my voice, knowing all the guests can hear the chosen words, another qualification that is most essential.
It goes without saying how important correct diction adds to the quality of the ceremony.
Being in front of the general public for so many years also gives special confidence to the couple, knowing that everything will be taken care of as they envisage, directing guests to the appropriate area and checking every detail is covered by me, prior to the brides entrance, leaving the groom and family free, to greet their guests.
Within 9 months of my appointment I obtained a list containing the 30 authorized celebrants in Australia from the Attorney-Generals Department, and extended an invitation to attend a meeting in Sydney to create ‘The Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants of Australia’. I felt it was important to establish a self help group and united body not only for the existing celebrants but those who would follow in the future.
As there were no funds for this association, I agreed to finance it for the first year. I could not have achieved this without the wonderful help of Maureen Barron, who arranged most of the papers work and ‘The Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants of Australia Inc’ was created.
I was elected, National President and Maureen Barron, National Secretary.
When given the honour of pioneering The Marriage Celebrant Program, [which has made such a great change to the way the majority of couples are married in Australia].I decided to dedicate 10 years of my life to this program and by the end of that period every person in Australia would know they have three choices when deciding on their Wedding Ceremony, Marriage Celebrant, Registry Office or Church.
For those first 10 years I made myself available to be ‘guest speaker’ at a number of charity organisations including Rotary, Lions, VIEW, Toastmasters Club to name a few, informing the Australia people about Marriage Celebrants and the history of marriage, as you can imagine taking a great deal of my time.
It has now extended to 32 years [although after 10 years I no longer continued as a 'guest speaker'] I am just as excited about performing wedding ceremonies as I was at the beginning.
The thousands of letters and photographs I have received in appreciation of my ceremonies I will always treasure.
I have been given the honour of officiating at wedding ceremonies in, Adelaide, Launceston, Canberra, Brisbane and Armidale etc. because all those years ago I officiated at a wedding for a member of their family or friends.
One of the most emotional and exciting time in my career was when I performed a wedding ceremony on my 25th Anniversary as a marriage celebrant for the 23 year old daughter of my first couple under the same tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
I have married so many members of the same family and friends which is important to me and will continue to travel to all areas to do so.
I hope my future will mirror my past sharing wedding ceremonies and receptions with members of the families and friends [which includes many of the rich and famous], I have known over the years and just maybe the third generation from my original couples.
Time alone will tell.