PART B PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
PART B PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. Make a table like the one below and complete a SWOT analysis for your business by writing in dot point form in each box. Add at least four dot points to each quadrant.
2. When you list the weaknesses and threats, list ways in which you will reduce/address these over a time frame.
3. Identify which skills you may be lacking in, and how you will seek to improve those skills
Strengths Weaknesses
Opportunities Threats
4. Reflecting on professional goals and aspirations and the opportunities and constraints, please complete the below Business goals exercise. This comes from the webpagehttps://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/set-smart-performance-goalswhich you should read over before completing the assessment. Please note if you have chosen business electives in this course, the unit Small Business Planning will cross over heavily with this assessment item, and you are welcome to use information gained in either assessment again.
Using the SMART goal setting topics fromhttps://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/set-smart-performance-goalscomplete at least 6 SMART goals in a table as per the example below.
Goal (example) I want to grow my gardening business
Specific I will gain four new clients for my business
Measurable I will measure my progress by keeping track of how many new clients I gain while maintaining my current client base.
Achievable I will gain four new clients as I currently have four available spaces in my fortnightly client scheduling diary.
Relevant Adding clients to my customer base will allow me to grow my business and increase my income.
Timely I will have four new clients within three months.
Smart Goal I will gain four new clients for my gardening business within a three month period filling my current available diary places. This will allow me to grow my business and increase my revenue.
1.GOAL
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely
Smart Goal
On reflection of your professional goals design a document that sets out your strategies on how you will work toward fulfilling those goals. In business this is called Continuous Improvement. You may have heard of PDCA cycle by G Edwards Denning, Six Sigma program, Kaizen, Total Quality Management. You will over time in your business review your service offering to clients and their feedback.
Continuous improvement is an ongoing task to improve on the service you give to clients. As it is always possible to improve service offerings, particularly in a changing environment of the wedding industry and technological advances. To maintain a competitive business this is an important task.
PART E - PLAN FOR MY CELEBRANCY PRACTICE
Now bring all this assessment together in summary to make a personal plan for your celebrancy practice.Make a table with the following headings.
Own Goals Strategies, resources and systems to achieve my goals Professional development strategy Personal care plan
ASSESSMENT 10 - PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
PART A DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE - ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
Using local city council demographic data, which usually can be found on your local Councils webpage, describe the demographics of the local citizens in your area. How will this impact on your Celebrancy business?
The Census usual resident population of Moreton Bay Region in 2021 was 476,340, living in 188,326 dwellings with an average household size of 2.61.
In 2021, Moreton Bay Region had higher proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Greater Brisbane.
8.1% of population are age between 18-24 (Tertiary education and independence), 12.3% of population are age between 25-34 (Young workforce)
Therefore approx. total 20% of population in Moreton Bay Region may looking to get marry or have their children in the next 10 years +, those people are potential clients for my clelbrancy business. They may need marriage ceremony or naming ceremony in the future.
Approx. 35% of total population are age over 50, large amount of them may become a potential client for my celebrancy business as they may seeking for renew of vow ceremony, because this ceremony is especially popular on milestone anniversaries (10, 25, or 50 years)
Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics webpage find your local federal electorate and look at the demographic data, describe the characteristics of the local citizens in your area. How will this impact on your Celebrancy business?
In Dickson Electoral Division, total population in 2021 census are 159,571, 49.4% of them are male and 50.6% are female. There are 45,640 families and approx. 2 children per family.
51.2% of people aged 15 years and over has already married and 33.6% of people aged 15 years and over has never married.
42.6% of all people does not have religions belief.
According to the number above, there are large population who has never been married which will become potential clients for my celebrancy business for both marriage ceremony and naming ceremony. Almost half of the total population has no religious belief, which is a sign means if they want to get marry, they may seek for civil marriage ceremony.
Research on the internet all of the local celebrants within your area. Analyze their strengths and weaknesses and report on how you can add to your strengths or develop your opportunities from this research task.
I have researched more than 10 celebrants in my local area.
Strengths:
Well experienced, many of them has more than 10 years of experience
Excellent reviews on google
Many of them offer different package for different budget clients
Weaknesses:
Many of them does not have a good social, e.g.: well design website, Facebook page, Instagram, etc. Some of them has website, but with limited information.
8 out of 10 only offer marriage ceremony services.
8 out of 10 are female celebrant
All of the celebrants are from local Australians, English speaking background.
Opportunities:
Build good marketing strategy focus on website, online bookings, online testimonials, Facebook and Instagram.
Offer more services Marriage ceremony, naming ceremony, vow renewals & commitment ceremonies, etc
Providing and marketing services to Mandarin speaking clients
Name the differing types of ceremonies that you hope to offer in your celebrant practice.
Wedding ceremonies
Renew of vows
Love commitment ceremonies
Naming ceremonies
Animal companion funeral
Funeral or Memorial Services
Name a ceremony that you know little about but are intrigued to learn more.
Naming ceremonies
What is your plan to keep abreast of emerging technologies?
Attend events/conference meetings
Make the most of social media
Look at what the big/leading companies are doing
Listen to the feedback and seeking for improvements.
What social media tools are you planning to use to connect with clients?
Wechat for communication
Studio Ninja for client management
Tiktok for funny thing when prepare ceremony or beautiful venue/settings
8. Which webpage do you use to find up to date information about your legal role as a marriage celebrant?
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/marriage/resources-marriage-celebrants/your-responsibilities-marriage-celebrant9.Please go to the webpage
https://www.forbes.com/video/3613846653001/forbes-etiquette-guide-how-to-work-a-room/?sh=4dff7f461a2eand in the search engine selectForbes Etiquette Guide: How to work a room.From this video state, at least 6 elements that are important when networking with others.
Go with a purpose Network & make connections, set goals
Use inside contacts - ask for an introduction to key people who you ought to meet there
Be a lone ranger talk to people I dont know
Get the lay of the land choosing whom to approach
Be aware of my own body language
Break the ice
Ask open-ended questions Who,What,When,Where and how questions
Go easy on the business cards
Be generous
10.Name at least four ways in which you will care for yourself in the work/life balance of having a Celebrancy practice.
Set working times and stick to them
Meet clients halfway if possible
Book some time off with my own family
Make sure I am socialising throughout the day
11. Where can you find information on the topics that are offered annually for your ongoing professional development?
https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/marriage/resources-marriage-celebrants/professional-development12. Visitwww.ag.gov.au/marriageand locate the Marriage Celebrant associations and networks list. It is under the tab for Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrants. After looking over the webpages of these associations and networks, select two that you would consider joining. Then explain in a few sentences why you choose each of those networks/associations. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working with competitors/colleagues?
The Celebrants Network Inc - https://www.celebrants.org.au/The celebrants network is a great platform for celebrants, they offer copyright and insurance add ons on top of the annual fee, it is a great platform to share information and seeking advice from celebrant colleagues, they also have online shopping discount for all celebrant stationery needs. And it is also a great marketing platform
Australian Federation of CIVIL CELEBRANTS www.afcc.com.auInsurance & copyright protection included in the membership, free mini website include which will helps the marketing for the business, excellent amount of resources available for the member to access. One of the largest association of celebrants
Advantage:
Makes the market popular and stronger
Keep my personally motivated
Can help me learn from others mistakes
Disadvantage:
Can lead to copycat others ideas
May lose some clients to competing businesses
13. What resources do you need to have for clients to assist them in planning their ceremonies?
Notes and books
Previous ceremonies
Collections of poems
Ideas sourced from the internet
Recommend different types of venue information
Florists provider
Photographer
Videographer
Hairdresser
Suit hire
Dressmakers/tailors
Wedding cake
Car hire
14. How do you plan to grow your resources for clients?
Join celebrant association and networks
Get idea from YouTube or other social media platform
Attending celebrant industry conference
PART B PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. Make a table like the one below and complete a SWOT analysis for your business by writing in dot point form in each box. Add at least four dot points to each quadrant.
2. When you list the weaknesses and threats, list ways in which you will reduce/address these over a time frame.
3. Identify which skills you may be lacking in, and how you will seek to improve those skills
Strengths Weaknesses
Opportunities Threats
4. Reflecting on professional goals and aspirations and the opportunities and constraints, please complete the below Business goals exercise. This comes from the webpagehttps://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/set-smart-performance-goalswhich you should read over before completing the assessment. Please note if you have chosen business electives in this course, the unit Small Business Planning will cross over heavily with this assessment item, and you are welcome to use information gained in either assessment again.
Using the SMART goal setting topics fromhttps://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/set-smart-performance-goalscomplete at least 6 SMART goals in a table as per the example below.
Goal (example) I want to grow my gardening business
Specific I will gain four new clients for my business
Measurable I will measure my progress by keeping track of how many new clients I gain while maintaining my current client base.
Achievable I will gain four new clients as I currently have four available spaces in my fortnightly client scheduling diary.
Relevant Adding clients to my customer base will allow me to grow my business and increase my income.
Timely I will have four new clients within three months.
Smart Goal I will gain four new clients for my gardening business within a three month period filling my current available diary places. This will allow me to grow my business and increase my revenue.
1.GOAL
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely
Smart Goal
On reflection of your professional goals design a document that sets out your strategies on how you will work toward fulfilling those goals. In business this is called Continuous Improvement. You may have heard of PDCA cycle by G Edwards Denning, Six Sigma program, Kaizen, Total Quality Management. You will over time in your business review your service offering to clients and their feedback.
Continuous improvement is an ongoing task to improve on the service you give to clients. As it is always possible to improve service offerings, particularly in a changing environment of the wedding industry and technological advances. To maintain a competitive business this is an important task.
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5. Name at least 6 strategies that you would consider important in your Continuous Improvement Plan
1. PDCA Cycle
Plan
Do
Check
Act
2. Five Focusing Steps
Identify the constraint
Exploit the constraint
Subordinate
Elevate the constraint
Prevent inertia
3. DMAIC
Define: Define the goal of improving the current process so that you know where to focus enhancement efforts.
Measure: Benchmark the current performance of the process.
Analyze: Perform a root cause analysis to find out the main issue thats preventing you from reaching your goal.
Improve: Plan, test, and execute a solution to address this root cause.
Control: Measure the performance of your solution to see if further improvement is needed.
4. BPM Lifecycle
Analyze: Dig into the current process to identify areas for improvement and prioritize these changes based on their impacts and the resources you have.
(Re)Design: Design changes to the process or redesign the workflow in its entirety.
Execute: Test the new solution on a small scale to see if it results in the outcomes you planned.
Monitor: Track the performance of the process to see if the improvement is enhancing the process in the ways youd like.
Optimize: Optimize the change before rolling it out on a company-wide scale.
5. Kaizen Quality Control Circles
Identify the problem
Define metrics to measure performance
Create solutions to the issue
Test solutions on a small scale
Scale up solutions
6. The 5S Philosophy
Sort
Set in order
Shine
Standardize
Sustain
6.Now that you have researched and considered the above topics, please supply a list of what youbelieve are therequirements for a sustainable celebrancy practice.
Conduct in accordance with the Code of Practice for marriage celebrants
Maintain a high standard of services in professional conduct and practice
Appropriate personal presentation for marriage ceremonies
Punctuality for marriage ceremonies
Accuracy in preparation of documents and in the conduct of marriage ceremonies
Respect privacy and confidentiality of the couple
Maintain up to date knowledge about the of information and services designed to enhance and sustain marrying couples throughout their relationship, not just in the period immediately preceding the marriage ceremony.
Ongoing professional development
Regularly monitor the departments website for up to date information
PART C PERSONAL PRESENTATION
Answer the following questions
1. Performance anxiety/stage fright happen to the best of performers. Please read the article in your additional student resources called Stage Fright. This may or may not be an issue for you. Please list 5 ways in which you will prepare to reduce/avoid this happening before you are delivering a ceremony.
Embrace my nerves and anxiety.
Use some form of relaxation technique - such as shoulder shrugs, deep breathing, meditation or even some yoga exercises before going on stage
Do lots of preparation and even get feedback.
Arrive early and walk on the stage or platform and visualise my success.
Practise deep breathing.
Understand that the audience is already on my side.
2. In the Additional Resources section of your student material there is an E-book on Public Speaking. In this e-book what is the natural health procedure noted for protecting ones throat?
Use the tongue scraper
Use Ginseng & Royal Jelly
Drink Ginger tea
3. Visit the websitehttp://www.write-out-loud.com, What are the listed elements of Voice Health? What would be your vocal routine?
Warmups - Allocate at least 5 -10 minutes to prepare before you are required to start work.
Breathe well
Become aware of posture
Drink water, keep hydrated
Rest voice
Use a microphone
Dont habitually speak over background noise
Dont shout or scream for a prolonged time
Dont force yourself to speak out of your natural range
Don't force to keep on talking despite having run out of breath
Don't habitually clear your throat
Don't force yourself to speak if you are ill
4. As a professional celebrant, you will be working with a PA system. Please report how you will research finding the right tool for you, and how you will manage when you are at a ceremony, and something goes wrong.
Google research the best product, go to the store to test and ask for recommendation.
Always has a spare one (e.g., potable speaker) in cause anything wrong at the ceremony, test onsite before the ceremony, talk with the venue if they supply PA system, however, even the venue provides one, still bring my PA system just in case.
5. You should record yourself delivering a marriage ceremony on your phone or other device and listen back to that recording. In a self-evaluative manner, list what you thought was positive and what was negative in your presentation?
Positive:
Loud & clear
Emotional speech
Sometimes are good at pause
Negative:
Sometimes talk too fast, especial when nerves
Strong accents on some words should have more practice
6. Dressing and grooming is an essential element of being a professional celebrant. Please describe how you imagine a professional celebrant might present themselves in terms of the following:
Clothing - Classic and conservative dress is the most suitable, can meld into the colour scheme of the wedding party if known
Jewellery avoid jingly jewellery as it may cause distraction. Just simple jewelley if have to. Personally, I will avoid all jewellery.
Briefcase lockable or zip briefcase to secure all legal documents, waterproof preferred for bad weathers
Personal grooming
Nice and clean looking, wash the hair on the day or night before, shave the beard, clean the teeth, have a mint gum to have fresh breath
Perfume/cologne
Very light and gentle perfume/cologne, ask the couple first if they are ok with it. Preferable refresh type, eg. Floral, fruity, green or oceanic style.
7.Name at least five elements that you would incorporate into yourself care as a celebrant include your posture at ceremonies, and your general fitness as a minimum in your answer.
Adopting an exercise routine
Choosing healthy and nourishing foods
Posture and position at ceremonies
Building self-confidence and likeability
Building public speaking skills and a good voice
Learn say no to clients for unreasonable request
8. What do you believe is the best way to present your office to potential clients? Name at least 5 important elements.
Hygiene
Refreshments
Comfortable furniture
Plant life
Branding
Dress code
Quite & Private
Secure storage for clients privacy
Photos
Stationery
9. How would you make your office family friendly?
Provide a play corner for young children. A toy box, reading or colouring books and childrens furniture can help the interview run more smoothly.
10. Where would you keep client records? (hard copy and electronic)
A lockable fireproof filing cabinet or a lockable cupboard for client files
Customer management software/ cloud services is a great tool to keep clients records electronically.
11. How long do you need to keep client records?
Part of a marriage celebrants record-keeping obligations is to retain their copy of the second official certificate of marriage for a period of six years from the date the marriage is solemnised. The Form 15 certificate record of use form must also be kept for a period of six years from the last entry on the form.
12. What is your plan to ensure the privacy and confidentially of clients documents?
Leave all the information pertaining to my clients in my office
Keep my clients files in a safe cabinet
Use the shredding machine
Never leave documents where people can see them or get them
Keep data in the cloud servers
Keep password secret on local devices for storing files
13. How do you protect your clients privacy? (Refer to the Section on the Privacy Act in Other legislation affecting the work of marriage celebrants) Give at least four examples.
Do not divulge details such as names and dates of ceremonies to third parties. If authorities (such as the police) require specific information from you in particular the names of people to be married you must insist on an official written request for information.
Do not leave documents, computer screens, files or notes in such a way that others can read them.
Store records securely and safe from view.
When signing the marriage register, if the previous entry is visible, cover it with a sheet of blank paper.
Always lock up marriage documents in your office after use.
Never leave marriage documents in your car.
Conduct interviews and phone calls in privacy
If you must tell anecdotes, they must be sufficiently vague on details that could identify the people involved. You never know who might be known to the people you are talking to, or indeed who they may talk to.
14. List three actions/omissions that infringe theCompetition and Consumer Act 2010?
No refund policy or unclearly stated refund conditions
Hidden extra fees or not show the clear fee structure
Price fix with other celebrants
15. Give two examples of how the Copyright Act can affect the work of marriage celebrants
Copying of lyrics in wedding ceremony booklets
Reproducing poetry or literature
16. Name the four main pieces of Commonwealth legislation that protect against discrimination. Please give their full and proper legislative names.
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Sex Discrimination Act 1984
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act 1986
17. In addition to the Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Act, each state or territory has its own anti- discrimination legislation. What is the relevant legislation in your state or territory, and what are its fundamental elements?
QUEENSLAND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT 1991
AND AMENDMENTS 2001
This Act seeks to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by protecting them from unfair discrimination in certain areas of activity, including work, education, accommodation, goods and services, superannuation, insurance, disposition of land, club membership and affairs and in local government.
18. If your clients were having a ceremony in a public park, national forest or at the beach, what advice would you give them? Which government departments may they need to consult?
Alternately plan in case of bad weather
Looking for adequate protection available from sun, wind and rain
hats or sunshades and sunscreen may be required in summer or hot weather
Research noice level around the venue, Natural sources include wind (particularly near the coast), the rustling of leaves, the surf, waterfalls, birds and bats, and even grunting koalas seeking a mate. Other sources are the general public at festivals, concerts, sports events and other large events; road noise; trains and aircraft; and maintenance and construction work.
Hazard of insect, may provide protection spray
Hazard of soft ground and dust, Stiletto heels will sink in, leaving ugly marks around the heels of light-coloured shoes. A walk across a lawn with patches of dust, mud or bird droppings can discolour shoes and the hem of a long dress or train.
Sunrise and sunset times, as well as the tides, must be taken into account for certain outdoor venues, particularly beaches.
For all outdoor locations, it is important that everyone knows exactly where to meet.
https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Pay-and-Apply/Events-and-Entertainment/Application-for-Weddings-Ceremonies-and-EventsSunshine coast council for booking of park or outdoor wedding event
19. Visitwww.ag.gov.au/marriageto find the following answers:
What qualification and requirements are needed to become a celebrant?
To apply for registration as a marriage celebrant, you must have either:
aCertificateIV in Celebrancy- external sitefrom a registered training organisation (RTO)
a qualification in celebrancy, awarded by a university specified in the Marriage (Celebrancy Qualifications or Skills) Determination 2018
skills in celebrancyCelebrancy skills are:
fluency in an Australian Indigenous language and the ability to liaise with clients and other members of the Indigenous community if appropriate, in planning a marriage ceremony
ability to conduct a marriage ceremony and to complete and deal with the required documentation in accordance with the Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations
effective communication.
What are two things you cant do before you become appointed?
Until you are a Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant, youcannot:
accept a notice of intended marriage or solemnise marriage ceremonies
advertise your services
20. Reading over this resource on defamation law, what is the definition of defamation? Give two examples of how defamation can happen on the internet.https://www.artslaw.com.au/information-sheet/defamation-law/
A unique and evolving area is defamation on the internet. Online message boards and social media websites are rife with examples of defamation.
Some participants get carried away in their discussion and descend into a flame war, posting personal attacks and comments that could be defamatory.
The anonymity of the internet also provides an environment for trolls who deliberately make outrageous statements about other people to cause disruption.
21.From the document called Appendix B (Guidelines) Marriage Celebrant Obligations when solemnising marriage Checklist list out the dot points that are contained in the section After the ceremony.
If relevant, ensure the interpreter completes and gives you the certificate of faithful performance by interpreter.
Complete the NOIM by recording the date and place of marriage and rites used, signing the Celebrants signature section and recording your celebrant number.
Within 14 days of the ceremony, send the official certificate of marriage, declarations of no legal impediment, and NOIM (together with any supporting documents) to the registry of births, deaths and marriages (BDM) in the state or territory where the marriage took place.
Supporting documents could include statutory declarations, a certificate of faithful performance by interpreter, the court orders and consents authorising a minors marriage and/or a prescribed authoritys consent to a shortening of time.
Complete the record of use form for the Form 15 certificate. You must keep records of every marriage you perform in a secure place for six years starting on the day, after the day the marriage was solemnised. This requirement relates to the official certificate of marriage (marriage register) and the record of use form.
PART D WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Answer the following questions
As a sole business operator you are the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) and you owe a duty of care to other workers, couples and their guests in the area where the ceremony will take place. Many of the venues you work in will be owned by a commercial business or the local and state governments, who do have a responsibility for those areas, but ultimately you should be aware of the surrounding and take great care for you and others.
Security planning and risk management.
1. Please visit the webpage of your home state for the government department that is responsible for Work Health and Safety. Find some information on people working in severe weather. Include some basic information that you find on working in weather conditions.
Bad weather conditions can pose health and safety risks.Your workplace must have measures in place to manage therisksto health and safety caused by bad weather, including:
working indoors (where possible)
postponing outside work
providing access to shelter
securing structures and objects and turning power off, and
providing protective equipment, such as eye protection andwaterproofclothing.
Eliminatingexposure to bad weather is the best protection. Forexample,scheduling tasks that can be completed off-siteor indoorsin the case of bad weather.
Managing the risks to working in the cold
Prolonged exposure to cold can result in hypothermia-a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.ThePCBUmust manage therisksto your health and safety caused by exposure to cold weather, including:
providing heating, for exampletruckcab heaters
providing protection, such as a hut or the cabin of a vehicle
providing warm and waterproof clothing, and
enabling workers who are not used to working in cold conditions to acclimatise.
Managing the risks of working in the sun
Sun exposure can cause permanent and irreversible damage to the skin and eyes. Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the leading cause of skin cancer in Australia.
Solar UVR is a hazard when working in the sun, and exposure can be made worse when reflected off certain surfaces and materials. Solar UVR can be at hazardous levels year-round in Australia, not only in summer.
PCBU's must manage the risks of sun-related disease and injury, includingby:
working indoors (where possible)
working outside only during mornings,afternoonsand evenings
providing shade and shelter, and
using sun protective clothing, hats,sunglassesand sunscreen.
Eliminatingexposure to ultraviolet radiation is the best protection. For example,complete outdoor tasks in the early morning and evening to avoid dangerous sun exposure.
2. Select a public park or garden in your own local area. Visit the local government webpage or state government webpage, list below the information that you have found. Include potential risk of that venue.
Centenary Lakes
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A large park with joining pathways around the site, Centenary Lakes includes spectacular backdrops of lakes, rainforest, waterfalls and bridges over streams and is abundant with wildlife. There is fixed exercise equipment for those with fitness in mind and a fully covered and fenced play area in adjoining Apex Park. The site is adjacent to Caboolture Sports Complex.
A fenced dog off leash area is located behind houses in Elliott Street and adjacent to Riverview Street.
Park bookings
This park has the following areas available for wedding bookings.
Wedding area 1
This popular park provides a beautiful outlook of the lake, with the newly built large gazebo surrounded by sloping grassed area providing plenty of shade. This area is suitable for large ceremonies and has a picturesque ferny area as a backdrop for photos. Ample parking is available in the Elliot Street car park. 20m x 10m.
Wedding area 2
This secluded area is at the edge of the lake and is suitable for small ceremonies. It is close to car parking.20m x 8m.
Wedding area 3
This area provides a choice of ceremony locations, either under the large tree in the secluded hedged area or the adjoining grassed space.30m x 25m.
Wedding area 4
This large open grassed area has a variety of shady trees. Ample parking is available in the Elliot Street car park.30m x 15m.
Event area
This long hilly area is bound by the football fields and the main front lake and includes a stage. Barbeque facilities and amenities are located in the adjacent area of the park. 100m x 35m.
Facility snapshot
Features
Car park
Dog exercise area
Electric BBQ
Fitness equipment
Play equipment
Rubbish bin
Seating
Shelter
Tables
Toilets
Water fountain
Potential Risk:
Risk of bad weather
Looking for adequate protection available from sun, wind and rain
Potential noise level around the venue, sources are the general public at festivals, concerts, sports events and other large events; road noise; and maintenance and construction work.
Hazard of insect
Hazard of dust. A walk across a lawn with patches of dust, mud or bird droppings can discolour shoes and the hem of a long dress or train.
3. Explain the complaint mechanism from the Attorney-Generals Department, should clients wish to make a complaint about a Celebrant.
Clients can complain if a marriage celebrant has broken the rules in the:
Marriage Act 1961- external site
Marriage Regulations 2017- external site
Code of Practice for marriage celebrants
Attorney-General's Department cant make a celebrant refund money. If client complaint is about money, they should get advice from theAustralian Competition and Consumer Commission- external site.
Some examples of valid complaints include:
the marriage celebrant was unprofessional
they did not respect your privacy
they made mistakes on the paperwork
they didnt submit documents to the registry of births, deaths and marriages on time
they didnt make sure the people getting married could give, or had given, real consent to the marriage
How Attorney-General's Department handle your complaint
The clients must make their complaint within three months of first becoming aware of the problem. they must use thecomplaint form on Attorney-General's Departments website
Attorney-General's Department will tell them in writing when they receive the clients complaint.
They will then:
Review the complaint
When they review the complaint, they may need to ask the client for more information.
Once Attorney-General's Department have all the information, they will tell the client if they have decided to:
not deal with the complaint because it lacks merit
refer the complaint to a more appropriate department
investigate the complaint more
they may not deal with the complaint if:
it was not made on the approved form
it is not about the solemnisation of marriage by a marriage celebrant
it is frivolous, vexatious, misconceived, lacking in substance or is not in good faith
the complainant does not have sufficient interest
the complaint is not made within 3 months
the substance of the complaint has been previously heard
the complaint is the subject of other processes
the complaint would more appropriately be dealt with by another body.
Investigate
Attorney-General's Department will send a copy of the clients complaint to the marriage celebrant and ask us to respond. It will not contain the clients contact details.
After Attorney-General's Department receive the celebrant response they will decide if they should take further action.
Respond
Attorney-General's Department will tell the marriage celebrant what they have decided and why.
Sometimes they may:
give the celebrant a warning
require the celebrant to do more training
suspend the celebrants registration
deregister the celebrant
They will generally only take disciplinary action against the celebrant if there has been a serious or ongoing breach of theMarriage Act 1961- external siteorMarriage Regulations 2017- external site.
When it is finalised, Attorney-General's Department will tell the client the outcome of their complaint.
4. Using theMarriage Act 1961,Marriage Regulations 2017and the Guidelines for Marriage Celebrants list at least 3 disciplinary actions that may be taken against celebrants.
The marriage celebrant was unprofessional
The marriage celebrant did not respect clients privacy
The marriage celebrant made mistakes on the paperwork
The Marriage celebrant didnt submit documents to the registry of births, deaths and marriages on time
The Marriage celebrant didnt make sure the people getting married could give, or had given, real consent to the marriage
5. What strategies do you believe are important to have in regard to your own personal care whilst working as a celebrant?
Get regular exercise which helps with reducing stress levels and to improve health.
Keep a balanced diet
Ask for help If needed
Plan something to look forward to
Get good quality sleep, especial before ceremony day
Practice regular relaxation
Keep personal hygiene
6. What are some precautions you would take for your own health and that of others on a very hot day, when the ceremony will be performed? (list at least four suggestions).
Stay Hydrated all time
Pop some half-filled bottles of water into the freezer the night before, then on the day, fill them up with water and take with you. Youve got yourself a chilly drink and a cool-pack for the back of your neck, all in one.
Plan the ceremony at late afternoon
Choose a shady spot for the ceremony
Supply sunscreen / UV umbrella
BYO hand towel
Try to stay indoor as much as possible
7. How do you transfer documents to another celebrant if you urgently became unwell and couldnt perform a ceremony?
Each celebrant should have at least two favourite colleagues to call on if they need assistance and they should have been selected in a time of calm, rather than the last moment. I can transfer the Notice of Intended Marriage to another celebrant. I will have to writes on the form that it has been transferred to another celebrant adding a date and signature. It's my responsibility to transfer the notice safely to another celebrant who must then sight the originals of all documents proving date and place of birth and end of previous marriages. The other celebrant celebrant would then proceed to prepare the other documents - the Declaration of No Impediment and the three marriage certificates
8. Where can you find out about celebrant professional indemnity and public liability insurance?
Google search, networks/associations for celebrants
9. Where can you find out about copyright insurance for celebrants?
Google search, networks/associations for celebrants
10. Go to the webpagewww.ag.gov.au/marriageand the section called celebrant resources and locate the document called Guidelines on conflict of interest and benefit to a business. List 5 potential conflicts that a marriage celebrant may have.
Solemnising marriages of family members and friends.
Solemnising marriages of couples to whom you are providing additional services for a fee, so long as you manage any potential conflict of interest, for example by declaring your interests, offering couples a choice on which services they purchase, and clearly indicating your cancellation terms and conditions to couples (eg in your quote or contract).
Solemnising marriages for couples to whom you have provided or will provide migration assistance, consistent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) Code of Conduct for Registered Migration Agents.
Solemnising marriages in your capacity as an in-house celebrant for a venue without satisfying the Registrar of the arrangements you have in place to effectively manage any conflict of interest.
Working in partnership with your spouse or others to provide marriage-related services.
In addition to your celebrancy fee, offering to and charging couples for other services, including, but not limited to: accessories for the ceremony (sand, jars, ribbons, chairs, runners, arches etc) fees for same-day lodgement of paperwork venue hire MC or DJ services wedding planning photography hair and make-up catering flowers dress hire car hire counselling, including pre-marriage counselling
11. In the Guidelines document at 5.4 is a description on how a celebrant can work with another person to deliver a ceremony. Clearly there are some risk management and legal elements where a celebrant needs to proceed with some caution. List the process from the Guidelines on how you can offer a ceremony with a lay person.
consent to be present at the ceremony as the responsible authorised celebrant
identify themselves to the assembled parties, witnesses and guests as the celebrant authorised to solemnise the marriage
be responsible for ensuring that the marriage ceremony is carried out according to law
say the words required by subsection 46(1) of the Marriage Act in the presence of the parties, the formal witnesses and the guest before the marriage is solemnised
be in close proximity to the ceremonial group or part of it, see and hear the vows required by subsection 45(2) and ensure that those vows comply with the requirements of the Marriage Act
be available to intervene (and exercise the responsibility to intervene) if events demonstrate the need for it during the ceremony
receive and sign the papers required by the Marriage Act, including receiving the NOIM, and sighting the supporting documents each party is required to produce and sign the marriage certificates, and
register the marriage with the appropriate BDM as required under the Marriage Act
12. In terms of risk management and professional practice how would you respond to these common problems?
Little children wandering around the park during the ceremony, and you know there are lakes
Advised to the childrens parents and all parties that there is a risk of children fall in the lake, ask them to keep an eye on the children all time and keep the children in the safe distance with them.
Talk with the couple when planning the ceremony, if they prefer to hold the ceremony away from the lake or make sure all guest aware of there are lakes in the park.
If possible, get permission from the clients to hire someone watching the children
Refugee related status
Refer the couple to seek extra assistance from their local embassy or immigration department
Second marriage requests where the couple dont want their family to know they have been married
Encourage the couple talk to their parents and tell them the truth, marriage should not base on the lies and secrets. Refer them to the family services provides to gets extra helps regards to the family relationships. We dont need to mention any readings or poems about the previous marriage in the ceremony
Elopements
Getting to know the couple is important for me to create their wedding or vow renewal ceremony, then truly understanding the relationship of the elopement couple and their reasons for wanting a wedding blessing without family, friends. Make sure the couple truly understand the legal responsibility about marriage, provide them the family relationship services and encourage them to seek advice from those services provide before getting married. Then I can delicately word the ceremony script accordingly.
Unusual requests for the ceremony, that may make you feel uncomfortable or uncertain
Communication is the key when this situation happens, explain why the requests maybe uncertain or uncomfortable, provide ideas of solutions for the clients to choose. If it is regards to legal requirement, then I must explain to the clients, according to the law, I cannot fulfill their request.
Legitimacy of documents that are presented to you
Must sight and double check with all documents present to me, when doute the legitimacy of any documents, contact the authority department to verify the document when possible. The clients also have to read and sign the Declaration of no legal impediment, Before the couple complete this declaration, you must caution them that it is a serious offence to make a false statement in such a declaration. (The Marriage Act provides for penalties of up to five years imprisonment for breaches such as bigamy and willful marriage to a married person, and six months imprisonment or $500 for willful false statements in declarations.)
Issues of consent as follows:
-Accident and/or age-related memory loss
Before a marriage is entered into, the celebrant solemnising the marriage must determine that the parties to the marriage are mentally capable of understanding the nature and effect of the marriage ceremony.It is an offence for a celebrant to solemnise a marriage where they have reason to believe that one of the parties does not meet this standard. Refer to family relation services provider.
Persons with impairment or intellectual disabilities
Vision impairment
Always address them by name and introduce yourself.
Speak clearly and in a normal voice
verbalise any thoughts or feelings.
say something to the person who has a vision impairment when I enter or leave a room
Hearing impairment
Gain the persons attention before speaking.
Face the person directly and maintain eye contact.
Make sure my mouth is visible
Look directly at the person while speaking and dont speak too fast or too slow.
Dont exaggerate my mouth movements
Use short sentences.
Keep my volume at a natural level
Using sign-language interpreter
intellectual disability
Make sure I have the persons attention before you start talking.
Keep questions simple and answers easy to understand.
Body language is important because people with an intellectual disability often rely on visual cues.
Use visual information or to get visual information from people with an intellectual disability.
Be specific and direct. Avoid talking using abstracts, acronyms, metaphors or puns.
Possible coercion
I will make further enquires if I doubts about the persons ability to understand the implications of being married. I will also tell couples that they cannot marry them as planned if either turns up at the ceremony and appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
A person aged between 16 and 18 only marry approval of the courts. Parental consent is also required, and the young person must be marrying someone over the age of 18. No child under 16 can marry in Australia.
-Alcohol and drugs (intoxication)
If I believes that a person is unable to understand or give real consent in their vows, then I should not proceed with the ceremony.
During the initial interview with a couple, I will state that there is an expectation that they will be marrying each other without any effects of drugs or alcohol being present, and if they were present, I will retain the right not to proceed with the wedding.
-Dealing with aggressive behavior
If there are guests where a perceived friction may occur, it would be in the couples best interests to address this before the day of the ceremony with a clear indication that unwarranted or unattractive behaviour will result in that person being asked to leave.
Dealing with couple wanting offensive content in their ceremony
Unfortunately, I have to talk to the couple to explain why offensive content inclusion of inappropriate humour or stunts/pranks are not appropriate in the ceremony and will be refused. This is especially important in relation to marriages in order to ensure that the solemnity and dignity of the ceremony is maintained. While it is absolutely permissible to include humour within your ceremony, especially for more intimate, relaxed ceremony, it must be appropriate, should not be offensive in nature and should not disrupt the flow of the ceremony.
Dealing with perfectionist person or couple
Communication is important, get curious and really understand what the couple needs.
Providing more ideas and backup plan.
Give feedback gently. Perfectionists are very sensitive to criticism and tend to take things personally.
Give her/him lots of notice regarding change. Perfectionists like structure and routine. Spontaneous plans can be upsetting.
Conduct rehearsal with written script
Prospective spousal visa
The marrying couple must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage with a celebrant who will then provide them with a letter to the Australian Embassy confirming that they have received a NOIM from that couple.
During the interview to fill in the NOIM the couple will need to give a date for the proposed marriage ceremony
The person lodging the NOIM with you will need to sign their side of the NOIM. It is prudent to gather as much information from the other party for your records. Sight all the documents that are available to you of the couple.
I will then prepare a letter to the appropriate Embassy
It is fine to attach a certified copy of the NOIM to the letter, the original NOIM must stay with the celebrant.
Arrange to write, email, or ring the absent party. The Marriage Act 1961 provides that both parties should give a months notice, so it is mandatory to contact the absent person to verify that the person knows with full calendar month notice that they are marrying.
Once the other person arrives in Australia, you should see them and complete the NOIM and document sighting.
PART E - PLAN FOR MY CELEBRANCY PRACTICE
Now bring all this assessment together in summary to make a personal plan for your celebrancy practice.Make a table with the following headings.
Own Goals Strategies, resources and systems to achieve my goals Professional development strategy Personal care plan
