VIC Yarra Valley Marianne Macartney
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| Many thanks to Marianne for providing her profile. |
Yarra Valley celebrant Marianne Macartney - Appointed March 1995
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In 1985 I was attracted to celebrancy because of a suggestion from a work colleague who was, at that time, also a celebrant. I was nominated by that same colleague and submitted my application and samples of ceremonies along with references from my referees. I continued in my life as a mother and a teacher and after some time had elapsed, I forgot all about my application.
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Ten years later, in 1995, in the week my second son was to be married, I received a letter stating “Congratulations you have been authorised as a Marriage Celebrant”.
I was stunned! The authorization came too late for me to officiate at my son’s wedding but as I was already reading quite a long passage I was not too disappointed. The celebrant at the wedding was one, Marie Scommazon, and I watched her carefully, modeling myself to some degree on her approach until I gained more confidence and worked out my own.
Those first weeks were a sharp learning curve. Fortunately as an English and Literature teacher, I was well prepared as a writer and speaker and was quite skilled at record keeping and administrative tasks. But I had no training as a celebrant, and no mentor as my friend had long since moved on to other things. I joined the AFCC and the ACMCV and attended as many seminars as I could: I also set about educating myself through reading and research.
I continued to teach but in 1996 I left the Victorian Education Department and worked as the manager of a women’s’ refuge with celebrancy remaining a part time interest.
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Later I worked in the Education Faculty at Deakin University and then was offered a position as Head of English at an independent school. All the time my business had been growing and in 2003 I found myself trying to cope with 100 + weddings for the year, full-time teaching and the responsibilities as Head of Department. I had to make a decision – celebrancy won and I left teaching to concentrate on my business which continued to grow until the impact of the de-regulation took effect.
Over the years I have met some wonderful couples and have been amazed at the connections I have found with them. Last year I moved house, only to discover that new next door neighbours are a couple I married 7 years ago!
In 2003 I was on the committee for the staging of the Melbourne Celebrants Conference and was the program co-coordinator. I value this experience, not just for the insight it gave me but because it was during this time that I formed firm friendships that have continued to grow.
I have acted as a trainer for a training institution and have delivered Professional development for the AFCC at both Melbourne and Hobart conferences as well as other OPD sessions.
I live in Ringwood, Victoria with a red heeler and two spoilt cats. I am the mother of three sons and have 7 beloved grandchildren, all of whom I see quite frequently. Apart from my work as a celebrant I work as a Casual Education Officer for the State Library of Victoria and have many interests including singing in a choir and playing golf. I love theatre and classical and am an avid reader: I belong to a book group and am also a member of the Australian Fellowship of Writers. Every year I volunteer to work at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival and have the best time meeting the authors and hearing them in conversation.
My celebrant friends have been a source of wisdom. My life as been enriched, not just by my clients and the job itself but by my colleagues who have so generously given me advice and support.
Marianne Macartney
Marriage Celebrant
Victoria
To find out more about Marianne, click here
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