In what the writer considers a shameful, unprecedented and reprehensible move, the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants (AFCC) abolished these Life Memberships and deleted them from their website, despite the commitment they made, and for no reason. They are recorded here to honour their significant contribution to the celebrant program.
RICK Barclay – was made a Life Member of the AFCC on Jan 27 1995.
His citation reads:-
“1. Rick Barclay is arguably Australia’s most successful all-round Civil Celebrant.
2. He has lifted the profile of all celebrants by his hard work for, leadership of, helpfulness to, loyalty to, co-operation with, and unselfish generosity towards his fellow celebrants, their clients and the public generally.
3. The Federation particularly wishes to note his pivotal role in the administering the former Funeral Celebrants Association, the former Australian Institute of Civil Celebrants, and now this Federation for well over a decade.
3. He is a person who has a lifetime of distinguished service to his fellow human beings in many fields.”
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Sheila Barclay – was made a Life Member of the AFCC on Jan 27 1995.
Her citation reads:-
“1. Sheila Barclay has been the partner, organiser, and effective support of Rick Barclay who this Federation seeks to honour for his outstanding achievement as Civil Celebrant, leader of Celebrants, and Service to the Community in this context and in the wider context of service of his fellow human beings.
2. Sheila is someone whose friendliness, generosity, hospitality, and practical help for individual celebrants, their clients, and the celebrant program generally, has been deeply appreciated by all.”
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Dally Messenger – was made a Life Member of the AFCC on 29 May 1996.
His citation reads:-
“1. Dally Messenger is the Celebrant who has contributed most to the Civil Celebrant Program since its inception.
2. He is the person who has defended standards of service to the public against diverse pressures.
3. He is acknowledged as having an incomparable record as a top class celebrant.
4. Dally has passionately advocated freedom of choice, standards of service, proper selection and training, and the necessity of cultural and artistic content in ceremonies.
5. Dally is the founder and inaugural President of the original Funeral Celebrants Association of Australia which established a unique professionalism in non-religious and personally prepared funeral ceremonies.
6. He is the author/compiler of the invaluable handbook of the profession, “Ceremonies for Today”.”
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Marjorie Messenger – was made a Life Member of the AFCC on 29 May 1996.
Her citation reads:-
“1. Marjorie Messenger has been the partner and effective support of Dally Messenger who this Federation honours for his achievement for the profession.
2. She is known as a high standard civil celebrant of weddings, funerals and other ceremonies in her own right. The federation acknowledgies her work as a pioneer Funeral Celebrant and the years of service she has given in support of her fellow Celebrants.
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Brian McInerney, – was made a Life Member of the AFCC on November 10, 1998.
His citation reads:-
“ Brian McInerney is known as “Mr Golden Voice”. For most of his working life before becoming a celebrant Brian had a distinguished career in the Australian Broadcasting Commission, both in Australia and Japan. At the time he left the ABC her was executive producer of English language broadcasts for Radio Australia.
The establishment of funeral celebrancy was a time of great controversy. Most marriage celebrants rejected the challenge of funerals with vehemence. It became necessary to form a group of non-marriage celebrants to respond to public need.
Brian McInerney immediately volunteered. He brought all his considerable broadcasting and journalistic knowledge and skills to the task.
He also brought to the creation of funerals an extensive knowledge and appreciation of English literature, especially poetry, which he has generously shared with his fellow funeral celebrants.
As a pioneer funeral celebrant, Bria
n brought quality, lustre and class to the task – and has continued to do so, with great distinction, to the present day.”
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Tina McInerney – was made a Life Member of the AFCC on November 10, 1998.
Her citation reads:-
“In recent years Brian McInerney’s wife Tina has become a distinguished colleague and a great support to Brian in his work as an innovative and highly successful funeral celebrant. Together they are a formidable force in the world of ceremonies.
The Federation acknowledges the work of Tina McInerney over many years in the establishment of funeral celebrancy in the community. The members acknowledge the ongoing support and work she has unselfishly given to this Federation, and her hospitality and friendliness to her celebrant colleagues.
Australian Humanist Celebrant Network 