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Life members

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At its conference in 2013 the association honoured five of the pioneer celebrants with Life Membership

Dally Messenger III - Appointed 1974


DallyPresented to The Don of Civil Celebrancy  for his unique contribution to the development of civil celebrancy in the Western World, and Australia in particular. The TCN Inc thanks him, on behalf of all civil celebrants, couples and families for his vision, education and “adding to the sum total of human happiness” through his expertise and passion. TCN Inc greatly appreciates his willingness to share his skills, knowledge and experience with his celebrant colleagues, especially by his participation in The inaugural The Celebrants Network Incorporated Conference - The Spirit of Celebration - held at Amora Riverwalk Hotel, Richmond, Victoria on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th June 2013.

More about Dally

Lyn Knorr- Appointed 1973

lyn knorr 2
Presented to Our TCN Inc First Lady of Marriage Celebrancy for her unique contribution to the development of our association and civil celebrancy in Australia. TCN Inc acknowledges her loyalty and steadfast service to a number of key celebrant and other associations over the first four decades of civil celebrancy in Australia. An unsung heroine and quiet achiever. The TCN Inc greatly appreciates her willingness to share her skills, knowledge and experience with her celebrant colleagues, especially through her participation in The inaugural The Celebrants Network Incorporated Conference - The Spirit of Celebration - held at Amora Riverwalk Hotel, Richmond, Victoria on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th June 2013.


Dawn Dickson  - Commenced 1980. Appointed 1996

dawn dickson 2Presented to Our TCN Inc First Lady of Funeral Celebrancy  for her unique contribution to the development of civil celebrancy in Australia. TCN Inc acknowledges her outstanding, respectful and obliging service and ongoing support to our developing profession.

TCN Inc greatly appreciates Dawn's willingness to share her skills, knowledge and experience with her celebrant colleagues through her presentation at the inaugural The Celebrants Network Incorporated Conference - The Spirit of Celebration - held at Amora Riverwalk Hotel, Richmond, Victoria on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th June 2013.

 Rona Goold - Appointed 1989

Rona Goold celebrantPresented to Our TCN Inc First Lady for her unique contribution to the development of our association and civil celebrancy in Australia. TCN Inc acknowledges her loyalty and steadfast service to a number of key celebrant and other associations over the past decades of civil celebrancy in Australia.  The TCN Inc greatly appreciates her willingness to share her skills, knowledge and experience with her celebrant colleagues.

The The Celebrants Network Inc has grown from Rona's volunteer work for a national non-profit celebrant association. The TCN Inc aims to support civil celebrancy as a profession and celebrants' practices in their work to service Australian communities. Rona established ATCN as a sole trader in 2008 and at the same time, with a group of friends established TCN Inc as a non-profit with a succession plan, that if ATCN had been successful, Rona would transfer the funds and resources to this body. Rona worked as a full-time volunteer for ATCN and transferred all its resources to TCN Inc 30 June 2011.

Rona was appointed as a Civil Marriage Celebrant in 1989 when the role was considered a community service and appointments made on a needs basis. Rona believes that, in this new era in celebrancy, as in our lives generally, we need to work together for the common good. 

Celebrations can bond people together in ways that are difficult to achieve through other means.

Rona is passionate human right/ social justice issues and sees civil celebrations and ceremonies as opportunities for professional civil celebrants to work with individuals, families and organisations to promote respect and tolerance, to affirm individuals and relationships, and to record family information and personal histories and strengthen family and community relationships. 

In time poor lives, celebrants are uniquely placed to assist in this way. This century may in fact be the first one in which the stories of 'ordinary' families can be preserved for their descendants.

Rona continued to work as a full-time volunteer for the TCN Inc until 31st December 2016, and continues to support TCN as a part-time volunteer and as a TCN delegate continues to support the peak body, CoCA Inc in a number of roles.

Robyn Caine - Appointed 1991 died 2014

Robyn Ceremony
Presented to The Coalition of Celebrants Association (CoCA) Inc Chairperson  for her unique contribution to the development of the professional development of civil celebrancy in Australia.

In recognition of her willingness to share her skills, knowledge and expertise with her celebrant colleagues through her participation and presentation at the inaugural The Celebrants Network Incorporated Conference - The Spirit of Celebration - held at Amora Riverwalk Hotel, Richmond, Victoria on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th June 2013.

Unfortunately Robyn died on in May 2014 after a short illness.

Presented at the inaugural The Celebrants Network Incorporated Conference - The Spirit of Celebration - held at Amora Riverwalk Hotel, Richmond, Victoria on Sunday 9th and Monday 10th June 2013.

Last modified on Sunday, 23 July 2023 20:07