Photo: Celia Faith PhotographyOnce upon a time …
I’m Jen and before I became a professional writer and copy editor, I was a registered nurse for 30 years. I’ve also been a cruise attendant and a medical secretary and once rode my Harley Davidson around the USA. I don’t ride anymore… Instead, I run, swim, SUP, bushwalk and volunteer with the NSW SES, splitting my time between Mullumbimby and Brisbane with my gorgeous husband Steve, and our rescue dog Postie.
Being a nurse was where I discovered how much I loved hearing people’s life stories. I spent way too much time sitting on my patient’s beds listening to their tales of life “in the old days”, especially during my hospital training. One of my patients was a WWI fighter pilot!
At 50, encouraged by Steve, I finally plucked up enough courage to go get that journalism degree I’d always dreamed of. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked for eight years with ABC News. I now write obituaries for The Guardian (they’re stories about life, not death!), do some freelance editing of illuminating UN documents, and write a lot of letters (for more on that, check out my blog, Letters from Jen).
When, in 2019, my goddaughter announced she was engaged and wanted me to marry her, I thought I’d add ‘celebrant’ to my repertoire. I’m always up for learning something new and challenging myself!
And, d’you know what? I’ve found that …
Image of Sophie & Dougal’s wedding by Trent and Jessie
… being a celebrant is the perfect way to blend all that I love into one brilliant career: meeting people, listening to their stories, and writing about love and life.
Best of all, I’ve been lucky enough to marry several of my friends’ children, many of whom I’ve known since they were embryos. So, there’s a real ‘circle of life’ vibe which is the cherry on the top!
If you think I could add something special to your ceremony, whatever that ceremony may be, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!