 Preston Melbourne Civil Marriage Celebrant - Sally Hutchison CMC - appointed 2011
I was appointed as a Civil Marriage Celebrant in April, 2011. I live in Preston, a suburb in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
At university I majored in Ethnomusicology and English Literature. During this time I was particularly interested in Indian and Indonesian music, and I was a student of Indian classical dance. After graduating I became a primary teacher and quickly gravitated into teaching English as a Second Language. I went to teach in Indonesia for 7 years then completed a Master of Education (Applied Linguistics – Indonesian Language).
Upon returning to Australia, I started work at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) where I also had two placements to teach English in a University in China, an incredible experience. I worked for some time in the Overseas Qualified Professionals Program, preparing professional migrants for the Australian workplace and was also an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examiner.
After several years I moved into a management role, as Head of the Foundation Studies Department. I trained as a Life Coach in 2009 and the communication skills I developed in this course have been absolutely invaluable in all areas of my life including my celebrancy work. I am an active member of the Shanti Mission Harmony Centre community, where I am involved in self-development seminars and spiritual practice through meditation, chanting and music. Shanti Mission is a registered charity and a multi-faith spiritual community. I have an 18 year old son who has is very artistic and helps me out in this regards sometimes. He has just finished secondary school.
I decided to become a celebrant when my father passed away in early 2010. The celebrant who worked with my family at that time was a real inspiration. With his support I was able to confidently give a eulogy, but knowing that if it got too hard, he was in the background ready to take over with the script for me. This was incredibly reassuring. People commented on my eulogy – saying that it was beautiful, honest and moving, and it was after that that I thought – Wow! Maybe I could be a great celebrant too.
I left my full-time TAFE job in June 2011, whilst my celebrancy practice, Ritual Design is my priority, I also have two other small businesses, Hardwired Coaching, my life coaching business, and my jewellery business, Sally Louise, Unique Handcrafted Jewellery.
I have now conducted several weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies, each of which touched my heart in their own way. Perhaps the most memorable funeral was for a 46 year old truckie who was a heavy metal and heavy rock fan. All the music at this ceremony was heavy metal. I had some quotes from Ossy Osborne from Black Sabbath, Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden and finished off with a poem about going to truckie heaven. It was a full house in the chapel and there were lots of laughs and lots of tears. His wife had written some words, which at the last minute she felt she could not read, so she asked me to read them for her. I felt quite emotional then.
My celebrancy journey so far has been very fulfilling. There is a lot to learn and I have appreciated mentoring and support from a couple of terrific celebrants. The funeral directors I have worked with have also been great and I am very grateful that they have been willing to give me a go, even though I am quite new to the industry.
Sally Hutchison CMC
Civil Marriage Celebrant
Preston Melbourne Victoria
More about Sally: www.ritualdesign.com.au
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