This is my family. My mum and Ken live in Wollongbar in northern NSW and Dad and Rhona live in Baulkham Hills in Sydney. As with the bridal party, I've asked them to write a little blurb on themselves (to make life easier for me). Now they won't be able to hide at the wedding and you can go up to them and say hello, congratulations and other sociably acceptable wedding niceties. Originally I was an only child, but with the union of Mum and Ken, not only did I gain another father, but I also gained 2 brothers. Those two brothers now have partners and one even has a baby. So my small little family really has exploded. Its pretty nice actually. I'll chuck in some photos of them too. Vanessa xxoxx
Elizabeth McIntosh (Mum)
Hi I'm Liz and I am Ness's mum. I was born in Scotland and came out to Australia with my parents and my brother when I was only 2 years old. My parents managed a motel in Yass for 2 years and then we moved to Goulburn and my dad bought a post-office.My mum got a job at a hospital and worked as a dietician and I went to school. I really wanted to leave school in year 10, In my day it was called 4th form High School. My mum and dad wouldn't let me leave school unless I was going to do a trade. I wasn't just going to sit at home and do nothing. So I applied to do a day secretarial course at the local Tec College, and I hated it. I couldn't see myself being a secretary but i had to complete the year, My mum had bought all my textbooks and a Typewriter so I had to least finish the course, which I did. This was a bit like when I bought Ness a keyboard so I was adament she would finish her lessons. We went from the keyboard to euphonium and then trombone. There was talk of guitar lessons. By the way I still have the keyboard. Ness also went to yr 10 and wanted to leave, and just like me she underwent further education. She would say "firstly I am going to be a chef, not only a chef but I am going to manage one of the biggest restaurants in Sydney".She quit that soon after and went to Hairdressing and then vet nursing.She finally settled on Nursing. Ness has now completed all her studies and I am so proud.
I believe things happen in life for a reason, if Ness had moved to Lennox Head with ken & I she would not of met Matt.
I first met Matty at Nerang Railway station when they both came up to visit. ( Ken had already told me that he was a nice guy) He had already met him the week before when Ken was in Sydney .
Mum's have a bit of an intuition, I knew then they were very suited & they would be the perfect couple. Ness and I are quite similiar in many ways. We are both quite sensitive & emotional but we have a great understanding for each other. Ness and I can disagree one minute and then laugh a minute later.
I am very happy for both of them & lucky to have Mat as my future son-in-law.
Love mum.
Ken McIntosh (Step-Dad)
Hi, I’m Ken, Vanessa’s Step Dad Liz (Ness’s mum) & I met through our work when we were both nursing at Strathallen Centre in Goulburn, (yes I was a nurse back years ago). In 1990 our work relationship blossomed into a little more then just work & we began to date, that is when Vanessa also came into my life at the age of 5years 9 months & -- days. In 1992 Liz & I were married or as our kids always say we were all married, Vanessa was 7, Garth was 6 & Josh was nearing 3, they were all in the wedding party, hence them all saying “our wedding”. Any way this is not to talk about Vanessa as I will leave that to another day, this is to introduce myself & what I do. I am a Senior Organiser for the Health Services Union, where I provide Industrial assistance to members working in the Health Industry in NSW. Prior to becoming an Organiser & as stated above yes I was tarnished with the nursing brush as well, doing my training in a country hospital in Cowra NSW & then moving to Canberra in the early 80’s to do theatre & surgical nursing. In 1987 I then moved into Developmental Nursing at Strathallen Centre Goulburn. In 1995 a career change was offered, that is when I commenced my current employment. We spent from July 1995 to December 2002 in Sydney then I accepted a transfer to the Far North Coast to run our North Coast Office. We have now settled in on the Far North Coast & have purchased a house at Wollongbar which is between Ballina & Lismore (10 klms off the coast in the hills beautiful & tropical, best of all worlds). Outside of work (which keeps me very busy) my interest is my motor bike, on a good weekend there is nothing better than to ride, Liz on the back & off we go, no planned itinerary, we head off & go wherever , have lunch then ride home. Also I don’t mind a game of golf or two, so if there is any takers in July whilst we are all together in Brisbane. I am honoured to be given the opportunity at the upcoming wedding of Vanessa & Matt of being the Master of Ceremonies, so I am sure you will hear more from me on the special occasion. You might even hear a few little stories about Vanessa from the age of 5 to 24. Until then,
Ken wanted me to put this photo in to show their 'wild side'
