Why Norfolk Island is perfect for same-sex weddings

Why Norfolk Island is perfect for same-sex weddings

ON a small picturesque island just a short flight from Brisbane or Sydney, big waves are being made.

Soon, if Norfolk Island Assembly Member Hayden Evans has his way, same-sex couples will be allowed to marry on Australian soil.

The small island has its own language and legal system, a long and tumultuous history, and cars must give way to cows. More recently, economic woes have seen many businesses struggle, with many Australians not aware of the idyllic island right on their doorstep.

As an 19-year-old flight attendant, I made my first journey to the island. This was just over ten years ago. Forewarned that the island was a haven for the “newlyweds, and nearly dead”, I took to the skies with few expectations of a good time.

How wrong I was.

We broke through the clouds on descent to be greeted by a lush green sanctuary in the middle of the deep blue ocean. The cabin went quiet except for the beeps and clicks of the many cameras, my own included as I leaned over some empty seats to capture the beauty.

Upon landing, the cabin door was opened by a young Cam Christian, a descendant of Fletcher Christian who led the mutiny on the HMS Bounty. Among the other employees at the airport I met were those with the surname Quintal and Buffet — other names that date back to the island’s European settlers.  

Without skipping a beat, Cam offers to show me around the island on my long 24-hour layover. He introduces me to his mate Robbie, who is understudying the island’s resident aircraft engineer, PawPaw. Yes, PawPaw. The island phone book is populated not by surnames (most of the residents share the same dominant surnames), but by the nicknames they are known by in the tight-knit community.

Cam and Robbie drove me around the island for an hour or two, allowing me to get the “lay of the land”. The main drag known as Burnt Pine is home to a myriad of duty free shops, boutiques and cafes. But easily the most beautiful part of the island is down at the World Heritage-listed Kingston — which has some of the most beautifully-preserved buildings and ruins to be seen.

Around the corner is Emily Bay, a pristine white sandy beach protected by a reef, and the only location to date where this writer has ever been coaxed into a nude swim. Not that it’s a nudist beach — quite the opposite in fact — but it was 4am and a full moon lit up the bay. Now, I would never encourage night swimming, but if you do, make sure you get your gear back on before the older tourists start their early morning walks — a lesson I learnt that morning.

Over the next couple of years, I spent almost every weekend on the island. Cam, Robbie and a few of their mates became my best friends. The pub opposite the airport terminal, known as The Brewery, was a staple in the island’s nightlife. That was often followed by impromptu gatherings down by the beach where music played, romances blossomed, deep and meaningful conversations were had laying on the roof of cars staring up at the stars (you’ve never seen so many) and I was always, without hesitation, welcomed and included in the fun.

Over the years since, I have been lucky to be involved in their lives — through heartbreak, as well as the many successes and joys. The people of Norfolk are by far, the island’s best asset. You won’t meet a more welcoming bunch. Cam and Robbie are still my best mates. I officiated at Robbie’s wedding to his wife as their celebrant, and Cam and I now work together in a job a little bit closer to the ground and his roots — on Brisbane’s ferry service.

A while back, Cam met a wonderful man called Paul. They do all the things normal couples do, and eventually got engaged. We all watched with anticipation and then despair as same-sex marriage legislation failed in other states. But Cam was one of many Norfolk Islanders who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Supported by his family and friends back on the island, the wheels were set in motion to work toward introducing same-sex marriage on Norfolk Island.

Should the bill succeed, the island will become the only place in Australia same-sex couples can marry — boosting the local economy and giving a whole new meaning to the island being a destination for the newlyweds.

As a holiday destination, it’s a hidden gem. As a destination wedding location – you can’t get much better.

Will Collyer is a Brisbane-based writer who has lived on Norfolk Island for three months and also a frequent visitor.

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2 responses to “Why Norfolk Island is perfect for same-sex weddings”

  1. Hey Steve! Chances are, I was one of the flighties on your flight. Norfolk was my main run!

    I’m glad you agree it’s a perfect place. It sure is!

    I, along with many NLK islanders too – hope that Abbott stays out of it.
    It will be a true show of his colours if the chooses to intervene.

    I for one think that he knows that it’d be political poison – so if I were you – i’d go ahead and plan your wedding on NLK.

    Cheers for commenting on the article I wrote. xox

  2. Norfolk Island is a really nice perfect place; I was there on holidays with my grandmother about 7 years ago. I and many other people welcome marriage equality on Norfolk Island and Tony Abbott should stay out of the democracy on Norfolk Island. Otherwise we will form an alliance and gain independence eventually from Australia!