Civil Celebrancy will celebrate a major milestone tomorrow - 19 July 2023 - with the 50th anniversary of the program in Australia.  

This occasion allows Australia to look back at the great work of civil celebrants over the last five decades and their contributions to events across our wide land. 

Established on 19 July 1973, this day saw the appointment of the first civil celebrant, Lois D’Arcy by Attorney- General, Lionel Murphy. 

Skip forward to 2023 and Civil Celebrants play a vital role in both metropolitan, rural and regional areas being leading lights in such things as weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies and other special events. 

Fifty years ago, only 3% of weddings were civil ceremonies, now celebrants carry out over 80% of all marriages and funerals. 

Civil Ceremonies gave non-church people an option that prior to the commencement of the program they did not have. In particular couples being married now have more options that align with their own values and beliefs and not those of a particular church or religion. 

Currently there are over 9000 Commonwealth registered celebrants in Australia and Lyn Webster of Nyngan is one of those. 

PHOTO: Kate and Jack Kearan at their wedding ceremony with Lyn Webster Celebrant 

Lyn, who became a registered Civil celebrant in 2021, has conducted services throughout central and western NSW and realises the importance of getting to know her clients and what is important to them. 

“I love being a celebrant,” said Ms. Webster. “Becoming a celebrant and playing a huge part in a couples wedding day is awesome. Being able to help the couples choose how they want their ceremony to run, help with their vows, readings and all the extras that go with it is so special, and seeing their joy on the day is very infectious and so rewarding,” she said.

“Civil celebrants are used more these days as people choose what they want and how they want it.”    

“Being able to stand and deliver a funeral is such an incredible honour also and to be able to speak about the person and their life story and deliver it with compassion,” said Ms. Webster.  

Ms. Webster also loves the fact that she often times knows the people she holds ceremonies for, and this gives her an insight into ceremonies which others may not have because of her small-town connections. 

“Living in a small community and being able to offer these services is extra special,” she said.  

And it’s not just the celebrants who love doing their job, it’s the families and couples on the receiving end who are appreciative of their services.  

PHOTO: Jess and Steven Johnson who were married in March this year.  

Jess and Steven Johnson were married this year and were thrilled to receive the services of Celebrant Lyn Webster for their outdoor ceremony.  

“Having Lyn as our Celebrant was one of the easiest choices out of the whole wedding planning process. Lyn listened to what we were after, laughed at our crazy ideas with us and pulled off the ceremony exactly how we wanted it to be. We couldn’t have imagined our day without her,” said Mrs. Johnson. 

Celebrant Associations across the country are organising a series of event and initiatives to honour the achievements of civil celebrants but also provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the advantages for them having this available service and its important role in non-religious culture in Australia.  

Paying tribute to the invaluable services and program that has been created over the last 50 years.