7-PAGE SPECIAL FEATURE
CHASING DREAMS, PAGE 16 A-Z OF CHRISTMAS SCORING GOALS
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Marriages on the rise Local celebrants celebrate their national day By SHARON BONTHUYS LAST year just over 89,000 couples married in Australia, well below the pre-pandemic levels for the second year running, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Of those, 80 per cent, or 71,331 marriages, were officiated by civil celebrants. The growing trend towards civil weddings was a point of discussion at events held around Australia on November 20 celebrating
National Celebrants Day. Members from 19 different civil celebrant organisations across Australia gathered to cele-brate the day that recognises the contributions and service by Australia’s celebrants. A small group of central west civil celebrants gathered in Dubbo for a celebratory lunch and to reminisce about their experiences. Collectively, the group has officiated at weddings and other ceremonies across the greater Dubbo
area and many central west communities including but not limited to Tottenham, Warren and Coonamble, Gilgandra, Wellington, Geurie, and more. Several of the group also conduct funerals. They have filled in for each other when needed and provide support and encouragement to each other and to other colleagues unable to attend the lunch. Helen McLean of Dubbo has been authorised for 28 years and recalled a memorable wed-ding
experience marrying a couple on a flight to Antarctica several years ago. The legals were completed as the jet flew over Tasmania, and a celebration ceremony was held with the passengers as the aircraft flew over Antarctica. “I remember we were right over [the Tasmanian town of] Penguin when I married them. I had to do it while we were still in Australian airspace,” Helen said. The onboard party over the Antarctic was a joyous occasion, she said.
Central west celebrants gathered for lunch to celebrate National Celebrants Day on November 20 in Dubbo, left to right, Peter Woodward, Lyn McDonald, Helen McLean (top), Wendy Shepherd (bottom), Michelle Mawbey, Cassie Davis, and Sharon Bonthuys. PHOTO: PETER WOODWARD
Although the pandemic is over, the recent bad weather has affected many local weddings in the central west this year, with outdoor weddings particularly impacted. Rising floodwa-ter has impacted some riverside events and at times torrential rain forcing couples to opt for their plan B or C. Peter Woodward recalled a recent wedding he officiated at where those involved had to be flown out by helicopter from a Continued page 9
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