Simone Kucyk’s business borne during Covid

The journey from cattle station cook to a celebrant of ‘Heartfelt Ceremonies’ had its birth during one of Australia’s - and the world’s - most challenging times.

A former cattle station cook from Nanango has turned a lockdown passion into a career, gifting lasting memories and support to grieving families.

A former cattle station cook and stay-at-home-mum from the South Burnett has transformed a lockdown idea into a completely different career, bringing hundreds of people together.

Born and bred in Nanango, Simone Kucyk has married more than 40 couples and supported more than 100 families through their grief since December 2021.

The 34-year-old began her journey to becoming one of the region’s most successful celebrants during lockdown in 2020.

“Covid was a very difficult time for me, as it was for everyone, and I found myself with a lot of time on my hands,” Miss Kucyk said.

“My daughter was very little and I started to reflect on a passion I had discovered a short while before, at my friend’s wedding.

“I thought that then was the time to study and I did all my online training in the comfort of my own home. I became qualified as a celebrant and Heartfelt Ceremonies with Simone began,” she said.

Simone Kucyk's favourite part about being a celebrant is the diversity of every day.

Miss Kucyk gained her Certificate 4 in Celebrancy at the Rose Training Academy, has been approved by the Attorney-General and is recognised by the Commonwealth.

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“My favourite part about it is the diversity where no day is the same,” she said.

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“I have married couples all over the Burnett region, Mackay, Toowoomba and Dalby, and I’m excited to say I am marrying a beautiful couple on a cruise ship soon.

“I also take much pride in helping people during their time of need; they require that kind and compassionate hands-on approach to guide them through their loss,” she said.

Miss Kucyk said her most treasured and memorable event was her first wedding, where she married a couple who met at the same farm she met her own soon-to-be-husband, Mark.

“It was a very special day and the funny part was the marriage certificate blew away and one of the guests had to run through mud to secure it.”

Miss Kucyk said she looked forward to bringing many more families and couples together.

Originally published as Simone Kucyk’s business borne during Covid