VIC Melbourne Helen O'Connor
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 Many thanks to Helen for providing her profile.
Helen O'Connor Authorised Civil Celebrant
- Appointed September 2005
Ceremony and ritual have always been important to me. I was married in the eighties by the late Rick Barclay, a wonderful civil celebrant who also “married” friends of mine and who conducted funerals which I attended. I was often asked to read at friends’ weddings and would love choosing just the right readings for these occasions. I later re-married by Denise Crundall, another celebrant who was also a Reiki teacher and I was inspired to become a celebrant. I would go to weddings and think to myself, “I could do that”. In those days, it was difficult to become registered but I was lucky enough to receive my letter just after my dad died in September, 2005 in the “new wave” after 2003.
In my early days, I was a teacher in the area of special education and learnt Reiki over 21 years ago, resigned from teaching and have been running The Reiki Cottage since 1996 where I offer workshops, see clients and it is a lovely place in which to meet couples.
My first ceremony was the funeral of my mother-in-law’s mother. I was asked to conduct her funeral six months before she died, so there was time to write and prepare the ceremony. I remember the day of the funeral and feeling so nervous but everyone said I did it beautifully and that the ceremony was just what they wanted. I don’t look for funerals, as they take so much time and energy to do them well (and I believe they have to be done really well – you only have one chance), but the funeral home offered me occasional work after that and I have also conducted funeral ceremonies for family members of friends when I am asked. Some of my friends have even written me into their wills as the preferred celebrant for their funerals!
My first wedding ceremony was that of the daughter of a friend and once again, the adrenalin-filled anticipation was there, but no one noticed. A woman came up afterwards with positive comments and couldn’t believe it was my first wedding ceremony. “Fake it till you make it”, I reckon.
I have conducted many memorable wedding ceremonies. One that stands out is the “gumboot wedding”. The bride and groom wanted to be married at their favourite picnic spot to the north of Melbourne. They wanted to be married in the creek. I asked, “So you want me to stand in the creek?” Once the initial shock subsided, I embraced the idea, bought a spectacular pair of pink and black gingham gumboots and we had a wonderful time on a freezing cold day in the middle of winter with kids and adults in brightly coloured gumboots being invited into the creek. It was casual, yet beautiful.
A little about me personally: I love my work running the Reiki centre practising Reiki and FasterEFT and being a celebrant. My children are Maggie who is almost 19 and studying nursing and James who is in Year 10. In my spare time, I go to movies and to various RSLs to dance to our music from the 60’s and 70’s. Samoa is on my visit list yearly and I take groups there for wonderful “chill out” holidays. I have also found love there!
In 5 years time, I’d like more of the same; being a successful celebrant, making a difference, helping people and laughing myself silly more than once a week.
A tip for new celebrants: Be yourself and you will attract the couples that are meant to find you.
Warm wishes to all, Helen O’Connor Preston, Victoria
Helen O'Connor
Marriage and Civil Celebrant
Melbourne Victoria
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