Testimonials

 Brisbane Funeral celebrant training  

" I found the course both stimulating and personally challenging. Most importantly, I believe that Beth O’Brien’s style of teaching is one that is respectful of people like us who to be frank, perhaps were not prepared for what was about to be delivered. Her calm and utterly professional style is to be admired and I thank her for what was an excellent investment of my time and future thinking in my next steps professionally." (Greg Hughes) 

"I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 days, Beth’s knowledge and teaching method, the entire group and the venue. The training felt very relaxed and well-paced. Beth was so very generous and kind to all of us in her style. I have come away very excited and passionate about getting on with the rest of the assignments to complete the package and see how I go from there." (Kathy Burke)

 


Classroom Marriage Celebrancy Training

I met the lovely Lillian in 2017 when I enrolled in Australian Celebration's Certificate lV class, to become an Authorised Marriage Celebrant. The course was held over 5 full days, with 12 students, in one of Sydney's many excellent hotel conference rooms. I was very excited to start a new career at 55, but a little nervous about what to expect from the class and the teacher! I needn't have worried! The class was a mixture of students from all walks of life and different age groups, which made it interesting and non-competitive, and Lillian became my Mentor, and still is today! 

From the first moment, Lillian made us all feel welcome and worthy of the task. She has a warm and friendly nature and an easy-going, professional manner that allows learning to be so enjoyable. We had a lot of fun navigating our way through the law, regulations, 'The Marriage Guidelines', marketing, and much more, while simultaneously being made aware of the serious responsibilities that would be ours as a Marriage Celebrant. Lillian brought humour, knowledge, experience, and class to this learning environment, and we are all better Celebrants for it! 

She even allowed me to tag along to a couple of her weddings, to give me an insider's perspective, without any pressure. I have confidently completed many weddings now, with many more booked in for 2020/21, and I credit Lillian's generous and knowledgeable teaching habits to a lot of my success, which I will always be grateful for!  (Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant)

 

I was lucky enough to have Lillian Lyon train me when I enrolled for Certificate IV in Celebrancy with Australian Celebrations Training. Lillian is the most incredible trainer; she is energetic and fun and guides participants professionally through the training.  

It’s easy to see that Lillian is passionate at what she does and creates a learning environment that encourages students to communicate with each other in a safe environment.  Her knowledge and experience in the industry is invaluable to her students and she is selfless in sharing her own successes, trials and tribulations in the wedding industry.  

I felt I had all the knowledge necessary to start my career as an authorised marriage celebrant after completing my training with Lillian. I can’t recommend Lillian highly enough!  (Maree Connellan Authorised Marriage Celebrant)

 

Melissa Jacob was my Cert IV trainer in St Kilda in 2017.  Best week of my year! Throughout the 5 days of intensive face to face classes, Melissa engaged, inspired, and motivated us without missing a beat. By the last day we were all galvanised by her bubbly charisma and wealth of knowledge and experience. If I had any doubts about my ability or suitability to become a marriage celebrant Melissa had quashed them by the end of day 2. It was a total joy to have been part of that group.

Then I became a celebrant and have just completed Zoom OPD Training for the year. I was thrilled to return to Melissa’s classroom, albeit via Zoom, for OPD training. The amount of knowledge and experience that she shares in a calm and fuss-free manner is worth every cent. 5 hours felt like 3 and could have gone on for 7. Little wonder that Melissa is such a successful Celebrant and trainer. (Amanda Arnold, Sydney).

 


Onging Professional Development 

 

Zoom Session May 2020 with Krista

Krista's first Zoom OPD session from all accounts went well. We are glad that we cap all Zoom classes to 12 people only, so there is time for everyone and its easier to get to know each other.

One of the feedback comments was that there are colleagues from all around Australia with different perspectives.

No technical issues at all for everyone (which is great, but we did think there may be some while people get the hang of Zoom). Some lovely feedback already:

Krista was very engaging. I loved, loved, loved the Zoom session, it was my first time and it was excellent. Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! (Diana Haase)

The Zoom session made the OPD not only useful during times of social restrictions, but it is also an efficient use of time when travelling to OPD is often considerable. Great choice of topics, all my questions were answered. (Pamela Woodrow)

Krista is an excellent presenter. The content was great (Judith Bray) 

 

Box Hill , VIC - OPD 2019 with Spencer

Spencer is very knowledgeable, friendly professional, has a great way of communicating and imparting knowledge (Diane Dormer)

Perfect – Spencer is the man! (Dean Sindoni)

Spencer was very knowledgeable and made the course engaging (Georgia Lejeune)

Spencer gives a comprehensive, intelligent, and enjoyable OPD (Angela Lane-Muir)

Lovely chap, appreciated his knowledge (Andrew Deane)

As ever pleasant, welcoming, and impressive (Barb Hadlow)

Spencer is a wonderful presenter (Naomi Ballinger)

Very sensitively delivered (Rosalind Mackay)

Enjoyed the practical examples and up to date knowledge (Vanessa Virgato)

Best trainer, worked us hard, very knowledgeable and helpful (name withheld)

 

Joondalup, WA OPD 2019 with Travis

Travis is a vibrant excellent communicator. (Anne Holt)

Travis maintained interest and encouraged discussion. Will book to do OPD with him in 2020 (Mairi McDonald-Smith)

Really enjoyed Travis’ style (Carol McCarthy Lay)

It was a well-designed course, well done. (Natasha Tang)

Friendly, informative, thoughtful, and thought-provoking day (Debra Sommerfeld)

Travis is always a great trainer (Charlene Ferrara)

I always look to see which course Travis in training for OPD (Nina Guelfi)

 

Chatswood, NSW OPD 2019 with Lillian

Lillian is a fantastic communicator and I have learnt a lot from doing her courses. This was a great course as Lillian is very knowledgeable (Louise Major)

Lillian is a fabulous trainer. A very effective communicator, she is extremely inclusive and manages class dynamics with a group of celebrants very diplomatically (Patricia Johnson)

I always tend to look for a course run by Lillian. She’s a fantastic presenter. (Bryan Foskett)

Lillian is an exceptional facilitator and I follow her annually (Patricia Kyncade)

A very interesting and informative. An excellent day (Carol Orr)

Lillian is always very effective and gives personal examples. (Debra Richards)

As always Lillian was wonderful (Wendy Wijetunge) 

 

Kedron, QLD OPD 2019 with Krista

Krista was delightful, informative, and refreshing (April Cornwall)

Krista’s presentation style is highly effective and inclusive (Kellie Rainbow)

I really enjoyed the day and took a lot out of the course (Danielle Wildermuth)

Interesting and upbeat presentation. Very experienced teacher (Darryl Hockridge)

Krista is very good at her job. She is happy and vibrant, and this came through in her delivery (Barb Buchanan)

I loved the question and answer session the most (Liz Foulger)

I enjoyed the day and the questionnaire (Maureen Dawson)

Krista kept the learning moving along with helpful interventions (Norm Hart)

 

Tweed Heads, NSW OPD 2019 with Liz

Liz facilitates a cooperative sharing and learning environment amongst a group of relative strangers and in a non-threatening way. She encourages open discussion but can reign it in if need be (time constraints) and do it in a nice manner. (Heather Thiele)

Liz is awesome (Danielle Ledgerwood)

Loved the depth of Liz’s experienced information. Really enjoyed relaxed but efficient delivery (Stephen Jones)

Peer interaction and information sharing was the most valuable element of the day (Valerie Colley)

Liz is a good facilitator and informative (Louise Bond)

Always enjoy Liz’s presentation (Dot Piddington)

The additional industry updates from Liz were valuable (Mitchell Sargent)

 

Doncaster, VIC OPD 2019 with Melissa

Melissa really engaged the group, created a fun environment to learn in. The course was great (Ben Slattery)

Melissa – fantastic as always – informed, friendly, energetic, interesting, and encouraging (Melissa Laird)

As a new celebrant just setting up in business the ideas were excellent. I really enjoyed the day. Mel was excellent, inclusive, patient, friendly, and knowledgeable. (Keira Macmillan)

Melissa is awesome, made the day fun. Brilliant session (Tim Manger)

Melissa as always is informative, supporting, and light-hearted when needed (Jenny Tacken and Rebecca Mitchell-McCoy)

Melissa was clear, concise, present, vibrant, entertaining, and informative. Mel’s digital age knowledge was excellent (Robyn Mills)

Melissa was great, informative, friendly, well prepared (Lisa Patience)

Melissa is sensational, knowledgeable, delightful. (Barb Kaye)

Mel was very engaging, patient, inclusive and fun (Yazmin Firkins)

Mel was amazing! (Deb Scherger)

Fabulous, informative, engaging. Melissa’s style of presentation is exceptional (Dianne Lee)

Mel is great (Claudia Gatt)

 

Kedron, QLD OPD 2019 with Shari

Shari was very interesting, informative, and knowledgeable. Keep up the great work, it was an amazing day (Ande Howard)

The discussion about the benefits of pre-marriage education and tips about outdoor weddings was useful (Glenn Matthews)

Shari was well presented, enthusiastic and friendly (Marthy Watson)

It was a good course, with good information, very helpful (Victor Torrens)

The most valuable aspect was the refreshing of areas and the efficient way it was given (Kym Schnitzerling)

A valuable aspect was finding out how others conduct and arrange their ceremonies. This was my first time at OPD in class, have always done online courses. Coming to class was an improvement (Alison Sakrewski)

Loved Shari’s personal stories about the wedding she had done. It was valuable being in a team environment to hear other celebrant’s stories and experiences (Emma Heise)

Most valuable aspect was refreshing procedures (Jane Ward)

I valued the open discussions (Sandy Plunkett)

 

Capalaba, QLD OPD 2019 with Beth

Beth always trains well, and I always come away with new knowledge (Barb Gilbert)

Always a pleasure to attend Beth’s OPD sessions. Great tips especially for those wanting to grow the business. (Suzanne Luskie)

Beth is very knowledgeable on subjects as well as life experience (Val McIntosh)

Beth – expect nothing less from a true professional (Heather McLennan)

 

Loganholme, QLD OPD 2019 with Beth

The course trainer Beth was fabulous (Deb Hunter)

Beth is brilliant (Sine Trewartha)

As usual course well presented, why I always rebook with ACT each year (Steve Horton)

Always enjoy Beth’s presentations (Leigh Muller)

Purposely look for a class run by Beth – excellent course content (Eileen Riley)

As usual Beth is a wealth of knowledge (Kylie Hancox)