Sarah Tolmie

BA (Anthropology), MA (Comms Management), Diploma Marriage Celebrancy

After a decade in the corporate sector in Communications and Public Relations, and two children later, I was looking for a more meaningful and positive way to use my skills. I am an experienced presenter/lecturer, writer and communicator.  After creating many rituals, ceremonies and celebrations for my friends and family, I decided in 2002 to make celebrancy a legitimate career change and pursue my passion seriously.

In 2002 I began studying with the International College of Celebrancy, and completed my Diploma of Marriage Celebrancy in August 2004 and received my registration as a Civil Marriage Celebrant in 2005. My previous study has included a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Sydney University) majoring in Social Anthropology, and Masters Degree in Communication Management (University of Technology, Sydney).  I am also currently formalising my funeral celebrancy skills, completing a Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy at the International College of Celebrancy.

I love helping people to create beautiful and special ceremonies for the great moments in their lives.  I believe ceremony can play a vital role in any major transformative event in your life.  Ceremonies help you through transition and celebrate your journey and those that share it with you.

I am part of a new breed of passionate and professional celebrants that want to bring back both the magic and reverence to the marriage ceremony and redefine it within our contemporary 21st century world so it does not lose its significance and relevance.  I am particularly passionate about working with families to celebrate life in the funeral ceremony - honouring and acknowledging the individual and making it real and true and a powerful healing and learning experience.

In my celebrancy I want to make the ritual meaningful and authentic and ensure the words and symbolism are genuine.   My craft as a celebrant is to give a personal and involved approach, spending time getting to know my couples/families and to take them on a journey as we plan and co-create a ceremony that enables them to author their own story and express their own beliefs, values and experiences. My style is to create individually crafted ceremonies that are unique, real and powerful.
 

As well as being a celebrant, the other things I enjoy in my life are my two beautiful children (Finn – 8yrs and Rory – 5yrs) and my loving husband of 11 years, Andrew.  I enjoy swimming, the beach, netball, running, rowing, dancing, music and of course my wonderful life sustaining girlfriends and women's circle.  I am a member of Umina Surf Lifesaving Club and an active patrol volunteer and previous member of the Women Master's Surf Boat Crew until it killed my back. I am also the president of the Peninsula Families Action Group, a group of community-minded people advocating for better parks and open spaces for our children on the Central Coast Peninsula and a committee member of the Gosford Regional Playground Strategy Committee for Gosford City Council.

 My 'boys', Finn and Rory.