Jeanette McDonald
Life Coach & Celebrant
Let Me Introduce Myself
Throughout my professional journey, I’ve worn many hats, starting as a trained teacher in Queensland schools before transitioning into a role as a consultant with the education department. Over decades, my dedication has been unwavering, focused on nurturing minds and fostering growth. As a Life Coach, Educator, and Enneagram teacher, I’ve carried this commitment to education, growth, and empowerment far beyond the confines of the traditional classroom.
A lifelong learner at heart, I have a deep passion for psychology, ceremony, women’s circles, and ritual. I firmly believe in the power of continuous learning to deepen understanding and support others on their paths. Guided by a spiritual nature and an unshakeable faith in the universe, I approach life with boundless optimism and an unwavering belief in the potential for growth and transformation.
Marriage and Funeral Celebrant
Beginnings and Endings and Milestones in Between
Wedding Ceremonies
Memorable, meaningful ceremonies express what is important to you. An event is an opportunity to have this witnessed by your family and friends. There are many special elements and inclusive rituals, so your guests feel like they are part of the ceremony.
Frequently asked Questions
What does a Marriage Celebrant do?
What is the Notice of Intended Marriage Form (NIM/NOIM)?
How many meetings must we have with you prior to our Wedding?
Is there a fee to secure your services?
What obligations do we have to you once we have booked our wedding with you?
You do have obligations to me as your Marriage Celebrant once you engage me. You will sign an Agreement that sets out these matters. This is actually a contract between us. A typical Agreement would include the following.
(a) The payment of the full amount of the fee by the required date that will be prior to your wedding.
(b) Advise me prior to making any change to the time of your wedding – as it is quite possible that I may have another commitment at this new time and will be therefore unable to perform your ceremony at the new time.
(c) Advise me of any change to the location of your marriage ceremony as soon as such a decision is made. The onus for this rests with you.
Will you travel away from your local area?
Do you have a portable Public Address (PA) system?
Can we have a wedding rehearsal?
On the day, how long before the wedding will you arrive?
Funeral Services
At no other time than at the death of a loved one are we reminded of the fragility of human life. Life is a precious gift. A funeral is a time to celebrate the life of someone who has meant so much to us. The service should be appropriate to the deceased and a memorable gathering of farewell.
The service provides an opportunity for us to gather, to express our own grief for this deep loss. A well-organised service celebrates a life, farewells a soul and validates our own grief.
Celebration of Life Services is a modern term for a funeral service. I work closely with the family to deliver a service that is dignified and meaningful. Many times, we include items in the service that are personal to the deceased. Preparing for the service can be a time of deep loss and sadness where the family are called to choose special touches. I willingly assist people in this process with careful consideration of the details. We often include symbolic items for upliftment of the spirit and soul. Candle lighting and rose tributes are often included in the service to add ritual and include family and friends in the process.
Memorial Services occurs sometime after the cremation or burial of a body. At a memorial service there is no body however there may be ashes. This is a unique service of remembrance honouring the passing of this special soul.
Scattering of the Ashes is a service conducted sometime after the cremation to bring closure to the process of death. A ceremony is delivered however this is generally a smaller more intimate gathering of family members. Often this service will take place on a property or near the water usually a place that was significant to the person who has passed away.
Renewal of Vows
People choose to renew or reaffirm their marriage vows for various reasons. It could be at the time of a significant wedding anniversary, to celebrate with family and friends if they were married overseas or had a small wedding with limited guests.
Couples often exchange a gift – an eternity ring or perhaps their original rings. Special ideas or wishes can be woven into the fabric of the ceremony.
This ceremony will often reflect on the history of the marriage and significant events that have shaped this relationship. Couples often wish to include their children and lifelong friends into the ceremony through readings, reflections, or rituals.
Naming Ceremonies
Naming Ceremony
Many parents choose to have a naming ceremony as a celebration of the birth of their child. A chance to introduce the child into their greater circle of friends and family. Some naming ceremonies will include siblings where all children in the family are introduced at once.
A naming ceremony does not have legal status. It is a civil ceremony. It does not involve a religious faith however it may include traditions from other cultures or beliefs. For many people it is a time of spiritual significance and will hold special memories for the family.
Parents often chose themes or ideas of family significance for inclusion in their naming day. Popular ideas included in the ceremony are tree planting, candle lighting, treasure chests and wish fulfilling trees.
Testimonial
LIFE COACHING
With over 25 years of experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, coaching remains my passion. My journey began in 1999 when I traveled to the US to explore coaching, a field then in its infancy, but a perfect fit for my background in education and helping others.
Around the same time, I became a certified Enneagram Teacher and coach, which added depth to my coaching practice. The Enneagram provides a powerful framework for understanding and managing personality, allowing for deeper breakthroughs.
While I coach both men and women, my focus is on empowering women at crossroads to rediscover their path and fully show up in their lives. I bring clarity, wisdom, and deep listening to our partnership, guiding clients through transformative change.
As an Intuitive Life Coach, I create a supportive space where you can explore your inner wisdom and find the power to shine. If you’re seeking clarity, vision, and a trusted guide, I’m here to help you on your journey.
What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a study of nine basic personality types that explains our behaviors and offers strategies for personal growth. It helps improve relationships by fostering understanding and managing personality traits.
The Enneagram teaches us, that we develop unconscious survival strategies in childhood to cope with our unique circumstances. Engaging with the Enneagram allows us to move beyond these outdated strategies, gain broader perspectives, and develop a deeper understanding of others.
Over the last few years, she has organized retreats for women, offering a more immersive learning environment. These “Living the Enneagram” retreats less than two hours from the city, in a peaceful rural setting. The retreats have become enriching experiences, fostering deep understanding and a strong sense of nurturing among the community among participants.
Enneagram Teacher and Coach
Jeanette’s love of the Enneagram started off with simple curiosity about how she ticks, how the people in her life ticked. What were their loves and passions? What values informed their actions? What lay beneath their defences? It led her to the Enneagram and a lifelong passion and interest in how people use various strategies for coping day to day in their lives.
Jeanette is a trained Enneagram Educator and Coach who is very experienced in teaching the Enneagram framework and practices. Jeanette has been working with the Narrative Tradition for twenty-five years. She is passionate about sharing this fascinating work with people to improve their own understanding of themselves, and to develop more sustainable relationships. In this way through self-awareness, discovery, daily practices unique to personality type all aspects of life improve.
Women’s Circles
I’ve been honoured to guide Women’s Circles for many years, both in person and online. These Heart Centred Circles offer a warm embrace, providing women with a safe and respectful space to explore the various aspects of their lives. Within our gatherings, we create a nurturing space where we can connect, communicate, and simply be ourselves, without fear of judgment.
Drawing upon my education in the Circle Way, I gently lead meditations and mindfulness exercises. Sometimes there is facilitation of small group discussions, which encourage a sense of togetherness and exploration. It’s a sacred space where the boundaries between worlds blur, and we find ourselves in liminal space where there is deep connection and understanding.
If you’re seeking a supportive community of wise, like-minded women, I invite you to reach out and join us. Let’s embark on this journey together.
Labyrinth Walks
Labyrinth Walks offer a unique and contemplative experience, inviting individuals to embark on a journey of self-reflection and inner exploration. Walking the labyrinth is a centuries-old practice found in various cultures and traditions, symbolizing a path to spiritual growth, enlightenment, or simply a way to quiet the mind and find peace.
As your guide, I facilitate, and host Labyrinth Walks to provide a sacred space for participants to embark on this journey. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or simply a moment of stillness in a hectic world, the labyrinth offers a pathway for deep introspection and connection with oneself.
Educated in the practice of labyrinth facilitation, I offer gentle guidance and support throughout the labyrinth walk, encouraging participants to move at their own pace and engage with the experience in a way that feels authentic to them.
Each step taken on the portable labyrinth is an opportunity for mindfulness and presence, as we navigate its circuits, mirroring the many paths of life itself.
Whether you’re a seasoned labyrinth walker or exploring this practice for the first time, you’re welcome to join us on this sacred journey.