Sue Helme Civil Celebrant | Brand
Sue Helme Civil Celebrant
Reviews
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22.01.2022 PASSED: Greens amendment will now allow for a ceremony to be held when registering a relationship in Victoria. An important step forward in celebrating same-sex relationships in lieu of achieving marriage equality at the federal level. #equalloveequallaws
19.01.2022 Dowries alive and well in Australia! For the thousands of South Sudanese who have fled civil war and settled in Australia, the traditional practice of paying a dowry or bride price to the family of the bride continues. Traditionally, the dowry was paid in cattle but the amount is now usually exchanged in cash, and the price can reach as much as $100,000. This practice puts a lot of financial and social pressure on young South Sudanese men wanting to marry, as many are ...also supporting family back in South Sudan. For many young men this means working multiple jobs, or having to delay marriage. In fact, some South Sudanese couples get together and start a family but cannot officially marry until the price is paid. In South Sudan, The dowry confers the husbands ownership of children and if the marriage ends in divorce, the dowry is partly refunded and custody of any children is awarded to the man. In Australia this can create confusion when mediating child custody. According to lawyer Nyabana Riek, the dowry should just be a symbolic amount that pays homage to the tradition but doesnt put pressure on young couples. In the meantime, for many young couples the dowry payment means they can finally start their life together.
14.01.2022 Ben and Tamzin at Byron Bay after their wedding on the beach. It was such a wonderful, fun, joyful, heartfelt occasion!
12.01.2022 I recently officiated at two funerals, one for a 93 year old man who served in bomber command in WW 2 and the other for a much loved mother and grandmother. Both occasions were sad yet joyful, as we celebrated their lives with dignity and respect for their struggles and achievements.
04.01.2022 Here's a photo from Kezia and Damian's wedding in February. It was a wonderful occasion on a glorious day in a perfect setting. I feel privileged to have been part of your special day.
03.01.2022 Having fun with Lauren and Alex at their backyard wedding in March !
03.01.2022 Just got pictures from Jess and Andrew whose ceremony was held last December. They kindly sent me some and some fabulous feedback... "Sue was everything you would want and need in a celebrant... She understood our needs and put us at ease throughout our communication with her leading up to the wedding. She encouraged us to put in the effort we needed to create a memorable and personal ceremony... Sue was always personable and professional and clearly loves what she does. She was a great resource for us and had many ideas and tips to improve our ceremony and help it run smoothly. On the day Sue was amazing, helping to organise the bridal party and communicating with the venue staff about microphone/music etc. We could not recommend Sue highly enough." Jess and Andrew, March 2016
02.01.2022 Burma enacts laws to prevent Buddhist women marrying outside their faith The President of Myanmar recently signed the Buddhist Womens Special Marriage Law. This forces Buddhist women to seek approval from local authorities if they choose to marry a man from another faith. By taking away a women's ability to marry who she chooses, it is seen as a denial of womens rights and individual freedoms. This law contravenes Burmas treaty obligations under international law, such a...s the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which upholds the right to marry and to found a family without discrimination on religious or other grounds. The Special Marriage Law is part of a package of laws urged on Burmas lawmakers by the increasingly powerful and influential Association of the Protection of Race and Religion, known by its Burmese acronym Ma Ba Tha. Ma Ba Tha is a nationwide collective of senior Buddhist abbots and influential monks, many of whom frequently denounce Burmas Muslim minorities, especially stateless Rohingya Muslims. Human Rights Watch sees it as the latest potential trigger for anti-Muslim violence pushed by religious extremists.
