About Me

I am a Melbourne civil marriage celebrant, but also assist with other ceremonies of significance such as baby namings, milestone birthdays, retirements and housewarmings. I am committed to excellence and I do whatever is necessary to ensure that my clients have a rite of passage ceremony which is uniquely theirs and which they will treasure forever.

My passion is beauty, in all aspects of life (people, nature, places, music, literature, fashion, graphic design, flowers, architecture, jewellery). I enjoy working with clients to maximise the beauty in these elements to produce a classicly elegant and deeply significant ceremony. This may be small and simple - or large and formal. It can also be in an adventurous or interest-related setting. I would be happy to bushwalk to a beautiful spot, go up in a hot-air balloon or officiate from the bow of a yacht!

I enjoy sharing my clients' special times and contributing in my professional capacity and in many more personal ways. I help you implement your desires by listening carefully to your ideas and needs. Together we share our skills to craft a ceremonial ritual which will have an uplifting effect on all present and leave wonderful memories. I am especially interested in intercultural ceremonies.

Every ceremony I produce with my clients is different. I am constantly reading new literature and sharing ideas with colleagues to ensure that my clients receive the best service possible. I view my own ongoing professional development as a high priority. I am also committed to playing an active role in the civil celebrancy profession.

Celebrancy as a second career greatly excites me as it seems to utilise all my personal qualities and skills. These include my enjoyment of a wide range of people and their life celebrations, hopefully sensitivity gained through surviving my own life challenges and being involved in those of others, and practical knowledge learnt through years in public relations involving much event organisation, creative writing and public speaking. As a celebrant I want my efforts to reflect my aspirations of excellence to provide the best service in every way for my clients.

I worked in the past as a special education teacher and then in public relations and fundraising as a consultant, then Development Manager at International House at the University of Melbourne, retiring in August 2004. I live in Ashburton, have four adult children, ten grandchildren, am a Rotarian, competitive veterans tennis player and ever-optimistic occasional golfer. My life is busy, rich in experiences and enjoyable.

My qualifications are:

Dip Phys Ed Melb; BA Concordia, Montreal; M Ed Studies Monash; Grad Dip Arts (Civil Ceremonies) Monash

In December 2003 I received the Damien West Prize 'for the person who has demonstrated the best overall performance in the course of studies for the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Civil Ceremonies) Monash.' (See right.)

I was registered as a civil marriage celebrant by the Attorney General's Department in September 2004. I have been privileged to perfom many ceremonies since that time and now feel very quietly confident that I can deliver an excellent service.

I was recently snapped walking down the grand staircase at Werribee Mansion as I was preparing to celebrate a wedding. I include these photos just because I am a realist and I understand that potential clients are interested to see what a celebrant looks like! You may notice that I am tall, which is why I always stand at the side of the wedding space to ensure that the bride and groom are the centre of attention!