As I am so often asked about my background and my interests,
here is a little of my past and in particular, the last 17 years
and some photos that I hope you will enjoy.
My husband Warren and I have been married for many years, and in
that time have backpacked a lot of Australia and earlier on,
lived in New Zealand for 2 years up on the Tongariro Plateau and
met some wonderful and interesting people over the years. We
live in one of the best places in Australia - with great beaches
on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, rainforested mountains
and creeks, and even the Great Australian Outback only 2 hours
drive inland. Cairns and Port Douglas are joined by one of the
most picturesque winding coastal roads you could find anywhere
in the world, so another plus for living here in North
Queensland.
But, how full have the past 17 years been in relation to my work
as a Marriage Celebrant!
In 1994 I was working as a Medical Secretary full time when I
was appointed. This appointment was a great thrill, but I
certainly never envisaged just how my life would change since
then. For 7 years I continued to juggle my "full time" work with
being a "part time" Celebrant. The celebrancy part of my work
was gradually taking over, and I so wanted to spend more time
creating ceremonies that related to my couple's lives.
Then in 2001, after having just acquired a computer, and
contemplating a website, my husband and I had the adventure of a
lifetime. We spent 1 month walking across the Simpson Desert
with 16 wonderful courageous camels and 10 other beings. We had
no backup vehicles just a Royal Flying Doctor radio for
emergencies and each other to rely on. Our camels carried all
the gear and water for 28 days except for a waterhole about 22
days into our trek. This experience showed me that my life
should be simpler if I wanted to devote my energies to helping
couples create the wedding that was absolutely relevant to them.
So on my return, I became a "full time" Celebrant and have not
looked back.
This has been a very busy past 10 years since I decided to become a full-time celebrant, (17 years in total) but so fulfilling. Our trekking has taken a backseat at times, but still we have managed also to follow in the steps of the explorer Edmund Kennedy and Jacky Jacky with donkeys (instead of camels this time) as our companions, explored and walked remote areas of Cape York, walked the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia (those blue, blue skies and that brilliant red sand of the dunes!), as well as the Cradle Mtn Track in Tasmania, and Lord Howe Island and hope to do much more in the years to come.
I research and write local history as well, and this too has introduced me to some fascinating people and their stories.