 Many thanks to Sue for providing her profile.
Tasmanian Authorised Civil Celebrant Sue Lee-Archer - Appointed December 2008
 Born and raised in Melbourne, I attended Prahran Tech and RMIT, studying commerce. Then got into music at age 18, and performed as a folk singer and musician (guitar). I've always worked as a stenographer/ secretary and had an interest in writing. In fact, I submitted a short story for the Alan Marshall Short Story writing awards in 2009, but alas, no luck.
In 1976, I moved to Launceston and got into folk-rock (electric bass and vocals). However I'm no longer regularly involved with performing, but play cello, and am teaching myself violin and piano.
Since 1996 I've worked for my husband as office manager . A long time interest in craft work is one of my passions, and I'm sharing a site with a friend at the Deloraine Craft Fair, Tasmania, November this year. WHOOPPEE!! - so hard to get into.
What atrracted me to Celebrancy? A strange thing happened - I was driving in the country one day and an image of a man came into my mind. I thought , 'Oh yes, that's a marriage celebrant'. Had only met one celebrant, Peta Callaghan, who did our wedding. They were not exactly on my mind on a daily basis.
However, several weeks later, at an art gallery in Scottsdale in the north-east with a friend, we got talking to the owner. She said 'I'm not usually tarted up like this, but I'm a celebrant and I'm doing a wedding this afternoon.' My ears shot up, and I thought it was a bit of a coincidence. I begged a couple of minutes with her, and asked as many questions as I could fit in before she had to leave.
I rang her a couple of days later and picked her brain about training, etc, and she was very helpful. I found a course in Melbourne, booked in, and bingo: that was it. So, I feel that celebrancy found me, rather than the other way around, which made me feel that I was meant to do it. I'm a performer from way back, and I'm delighted to have an audience!
A treasured memory ? The look on the face of the bride at my last wedding. She was absolutely glowing when she turned to me when I said her name, and she repeated her Asking vows.
Also, organising my first wedding, the groom realised that he had worked for the same firm as my husband about 40 years ago, on the west coast of Tasmania. Only in Tasmania.
My tip to fellow celebrants for weddings - Remember that you are dealing with very real people, and that they need your warmth and caring to help the day go well. Always have plenty of both, plus a good sense of humour.
Sue Lee-Archer
Civil Marriage Celebrant
Exeter Tasmania
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