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Established 1995 - Registered Training Organisation No 21737
Phone: 61-3-9419 0460, Fax: 61-3- 9419 0783 - or Enquiries - Diane Storey - 0417 106 275
PO Box 548, Richmond, 3121, Victoria, Australia
The International College of Celebrancy is a business name owned by Dally M Publishing and Research Pty Ltd ABN 29 006 569 099

Celebrant Training and Courses or phone Diane Storey on 0417 106 275 Email Diane The College is a Registered Training Organisation No. 21737 You may study for Certificate IV in Marriage Celebrancy or Statement of Attainment - Plan, Conduct and Review a Marriage Ceremony CHCMCEL401A or Statement of Attainment - Perform General Funeral Celebrancy or College Qualifications Diploma of Marriage CelebrancyDiploma of Funeral Celebrancy Diploma of General Celebrancy Lynnette Olsen holds three Diplomas. Ribbons are awarded at Graduation Ceremonies. by Email

Non-authorised persons in central wedding role Feb 6, 2007 by © Dally Messenger III Principal, International College of Celebrancy dallymessenger@mac.com The latest briefing notes to Authorised Presenters of Professional Development indicate an acceptance by the Registrar of Marriages that non-authorised persons can now officiate at marriage ceremonies under protocols issued by the Registrar of Marriages. The Act envisages, as the Registrar points out very clearly, that marriages may take place, “by, or in the presence of, an authorised celebrant”. (Section 41) (Disclaimer: this is not legal advice, or official advice, but my non-official opinion for the benefit of colleagues. It represents a distinct softening but also a clarification of protocols) BASIC PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORISED CELEBRANT– MY SUMMARY Receive (1) the Notice of Intended Marriage. Check the documents - Birth Certificates, Decrees Absolute etc – Establish identity of the parties. Check the ceremony. Take the Declarations on the back of the certificate of Marriage. Attend the ceremony and be identified as the authorised celebrant. Say the Monitum. Hear the Vows. Witness the signing and sign the papers. In addition the authorised celebrant must be clear that: an authorised celebrant does not have to consent to such an arrangement. (presumably stated as regards Discrimination Laws) he/she is legally responsible. All documentation must be processed as normal e.g registering the marriage, keeping records of Form 15 etc if there are any complaints to the Registrar, he/she is responsible. the authorised celebrant is responsible for insurance, e.g. Public risk, Professional Indemnity FEES Fees must be clear. Authorised or non-authorised celebrants can charge any fee they wish. Because of the increased responsibility my impression is that authorised celebrants are charging anything from $200 to $770. The Registrar of Marriages points out that these weddings could involve more work than a normal wedding. PA System Then there is the question of a celebrant's PASystem (the authorised celebrant is bound by the Code of Practice to ensure that all hear the ceremony). They should be paid, in my opinion, at least an extra $100 (which the couple should pay!) for its use. The Code of Practice must be observed. For example, the authorised celebrant must intervene if the ceremony is not of an “appropriate standard”. (This must mean cooperation between the non-authorised and the authorised celebrant.) In my experience of these ceremonies, it is possible for an authorised celebrant to ensure all this without intruding in an excessive way, or becoming pompous or overbearing. Here is a contribution on this topic from college graduate and celebrant Jenny Grierson (Melbourne) DOING THE LEGALS 1. talk with the student before agreeing to take it on. (approx. 10 mins) 2. meet with the couple and the student to ensure they know celebrant’s role complete NOIM with ID. (approx 30-45 mins) 3. check the student’s ceremony to ensure everything is accurate and covers celebrant legally, making sure that the celebrant is acknowledged at beginning of ceremony. (approx 30 mins) 4. prepare all paperwork- Marriage Certificate, Declaration, Couple Certificate and red book. (approx 90 mins) 5. celebrant goes to rehearsal ( approx 60-90 mins) 6. arrive early at wedding (approx 90 mins) 7. complete paperwork at wedding and send registered packet to BDM. (approx 30 mins) 8. offer constructive feedback if asked. (approx 30 mins) Total could be 6-7 hours. Personal Comment: I have been thinking about this and have begun to see the merits of these protocols. Student and waiting list clebrants will learn in the best and only real way - by doing ceremonies. The authorised clebrant must ensure the standard which means they are teaching the student while ensuring that the ceremony goes well. They can be appropriately paid - which means that everyone benefits - especially the couple. Dally Messenger © D and R Messenger 2005

Ceremonies and Celebrations contains model ceremonies for Weddings, Funerals, Namings and a full range of other ceremonies. It contains editorial advice for celebrants and their clients and a wide selection of readings. $27A plus p&p The Ceremonies and Celebrations CD contains all the readings in the book with permission to use and print for individual ceremonies only. $33.60A plus p&p from the Celebrants Centre. 03 9419 0460 All other