Shelley conducting a ceremony with a couple, the bride is in a wheelchair with a man standing behind her and her future husband looks on in love.

It’s personal for me.

After experiencing life through many different lenses, I understand that it’s important to have someone you trust have your back, be on your side, and ‘get you’.

I have a passion, you could say, for access and inclusion and have experienced the real face of discrimination and disadvantage faced by close family members and friends. Navigating barriers and helping others are my skills.

As a marriage celebrant I now get to combine my other passion for creative writing with my passion for access and inclusion, it’s the best of both worlds.

Born in Zimbabwe, I was introduced to cultural differences early in life. I understand that it’s important to get to know people to appreciate their life. I love meeting and talking with people about their journey through life. It’s been said that I will talk to a wall if I stood beside it long enough.

I’ve lived in three states of Australia and one territory, on two Australian islands and holidayed in every state and territory. You might guess that I love travel and I love engaging with people from all walks of life. I have travelled extensively including the UK, Europe and Asia, not to mention my birth continent Africa which will always hold my heart.

Due to various family circumstances I understand what life can be like living with disability. I have a close family member experiencing a traumatic brain injury, and another now living as an amputee, along with many friends within the Deaf and Deaf Blind Community of South Australia who I met while studying Auslan for many years.

I’m passionate about gender equity, access and inclusion throughout our community and can’t imagine saying ‘no’ to any couple regardless of how they identify, after all, love is love and who you love should be celebrated at every opportunity.

There’s not much better than celebrating your love with those you love the most.

If it’s personal for you then it’s personal for me.