Love Story's MC

Simon McCuskey

(Him/He)

Simon MC is Simon McCuskey – a polished Event Manager, Master of Ceremonies, University Lecturer and Celebrant. Not to mention a multi -award winning MC and one of the nicest humans in the business.

Simon will be sharing everything you have ever wanted to know about MC-ing dynamic wedding receptions. The skills you will learn will enhance your confidence, skills and ability to enhance your income!

You will experience Simon in action as Love Story Gathering’s esteemed MC.

What started as a hobby has turned into a love, with Simon now a full-time professional event manager and master of ceremonies.

Simon’s philosophy is you only get one chance to get an event experience right!

Storyteller

Archie Beetle

(They/Them)

Archie Beetle (they/them) is the Founder and CEO at Queer Town, a queer-led organisation providing education and consultation in workplaces, schools and events across Australia, with a focus on LGBTIQA+ inclusion and allyship. Queer Town’s clients include: The City of Melbourne, The Australian Ballet, Cotton On Group, GMHBA and Siemens.

During their career, Archie has led the establishment of LGBTIQA+ advisory boards and working groups at a number of Victorian institutions, including: Melbourne Museum, The Immigration Museum and Scienceworks, and has served as a board member at Proud2Play, a not-for-profit increasing LGBTIQA+ engagement in sport and exercise.

Archie's mission is to educate with empathy and create inclusive workplaces and schools where LGBTIQA+ people can show up authentically.

If you missed Archie’s warmth, humour and life lessons at Love story Gathering in 2023, do not miss them this time!

Storyteller

Zee Scott

(She/Her)

Want to be productive without the burnout? Zee’s session is where you need to be. Expect laughs, lightbulb moments, and practical tools you can use straight away.

With a career built on turning big ideas into actionable plans, Zee Scott knows a thing or two about getting things DONE. As a trainer, mentor, speaker, and all-round people-developer, Zee blends practical tips with a touch of humour, sass and relatable storytelling.

When Zee’s not officiating weddings with heart and laughs or running cake decorating workshops, you’ll find her guiding small businesses and individuals boost their productivity, master public speaking, and build confidence that sticks. Her no-fluff, fun approach means you’ll walk away inspired, energised, and ready to level up.

Storyteller

Karyn (Kaz) Ross

(She/Her)

Karyn (Kaz) Ross is a proud Mutti Mutti woman with over 30 years as a Storyteller and Creator of Aboriginal experiences, weaving ancestral knowledge through her work. As the founder of Jharmbi & Co (meaning "friend" in language), she creates meaningful connections through ceremony, communications, and the art of acknowledgement.

Growing up in Geelong, Kaz now lives in idyllic Mullumbimby with husband, Dallas, daughter Lula and pup, Bingo. Her claim to wedding fame was as a wedding singer!

First Nations storytellers represent humanity's original oral historians, maintaining unbroken narrative traditions that stretch back over 65,000 years through songlines, creation stories, and cultural knowledge. Their profound storytelling practices have preserved not just history but entire worldviews, ecological wisdom, and spiritual understandings across countless generations, making them the longest continuous storytelling tradition on Earth.

In this heartfelt personal journey through time and tradition, Kaz will invite you to experience the profound wisdom that flows through generations of First Nations knowledge. Through storytelling passed down by her elders, she’ll share how our connections to kinship (family) and Country continue to guide us today and shape our tomorrow.

Join Kaz as we explore how the guidance of those who walked before us, those who walk beside us now, and those who will follow creates a powerful foundation for moving forward together with respect, knowledge, and celebration.

While gaining an understanding of First Nations people, you will learn how to add heart and soul to your own storytelling.

Storyteller

Dani Fontana

(She/Her)

Organised Chaos: Tools, Tech & Teamwork

If there’s one thing to know about Dani, it’s that she doesn’t do small. As the powerhouse behind Wedding Guide Media, Geelong Wedding Guide Magazine, and more businesses than we can count (okay, fine—Tom Collins Caravan Bar, Boutique Event Co, The Cocktail Cart, Geelong/Melbourne/Ballarat Wedding Guide, and Valley Loves), she’s built an empire in the wedding industry with sheer determination, creativity, and a whole lot of hard work.

A mother of two, wife to Matt, tequila enthusiast, and self-proclaimed crazy cat lady, Dani is the definition of busy—but somehow, she makes it all look effortless. Whether she’s curating the latest issue of the magazine, planning epic wedding events, or coming up with her next big idea, she does it with passion and a relentless drive to make the industry better.

She’s fiercely loyal, ridiculously hardworking, and always the one pushing the boundaries to do something bigger, better, and more exciting.

Storyteller

Matt Fontana

(Him/He)

Money Matters - But It Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

Matt is the co-owner of Boutique Event Co, Tom Collins Caravan Bar, The Cocktail Cart, and Wedding Guide Media, working alongside his wife Dani to bring creative magic and smooth operations to life behind the scenes. A qualified CPA, Matt thrives on all things numbers, logistics, and keeping the wheels turning across multiple businesses.

When he’s not knee-deep in spreadsheets or fine-tuning business strategy, Matt is busy being a hands-on dad, jamming on the guitar, smashing it on the squash court, or going for the occasional spin on his motorbike. With a brain for business and a calm, can-do attitude, Matt is the steady hand behind the hustle.

More Storytellers announced soon

The Venue

Geelong Library

We are thrilled to be holding Love Story Gathering in the traditional repository of stories, the Geelong Regional Library

Wurdi Youang, is a unique, under-the-dome space with inspiring architecture, intuitive technology and a north-facing balcony with scene-stealing views over Geelong, Corio Bay and the You Yangs.

Located in the heart of Geelong’s cultural precinct, Wurdi Youang is adjacent to historic Johnstone Park and a short walk from the Geelong railway station, the CBD and the waterfront.

Love Party

Eureka Deck

Saturday 30th August 25

You’ve been educated and inspired, you’ve made connections—now it’s time to let loose and celebrate!

After Love Story: A Gathering of Wedding Creatives, take a short stroll and step into The Love Party—the ultimate afterparty for the wedding and events industry.

We’re talking welcome cocktails, mouth watering canapés and good vibes only.

Whether you attend during the day or not, you are welcome!

This is your chance to mix, mingle and dance with your people.

It’s the perfect launch into spring–summer wedding season and trust us—you won’t want to miss it!

Come for the inspiration, stay for the celebration.

DJ Casey

(She/Her)

Get ready for an unforgettable night at Rhinestone Country Club as we welcome the incredible DJ Casey to the decks!

A powerhouse in the music scene, Casey began her journey in Sydney’s community radio and DJ booths, but now calls Melbourne home.

As if that weren’t enough, she’s also recently become a celebrant—adding another way to bring people together in the spirit of connection, love and celebration.

She’s the host of Soulseek on Skylab Radio, a familiar face at Rathdowne Records, and the creative force behind Sittin Pretty, her own event series.

Having supported the likes of Zakia, Mndsgn, Onra, CC:Disco, and 30/70, Casey’s sound is an irresistible blend of groove, soulful cuts, leftfield house, R&B, and everything in between.

Expect nothing but deep, dance-inducing rhythms and pure musical magic.

We are thrilled to be supported by the Holiday Inn & Suites in Ryrie Street Geelong if you would like to stay a night or two.

Please contact reservations.geelong@ihg.com

When booking, provide them with the discount code: DS1

The following T&C’s apply:

Circa 20% discount applied off Best Flexible Rate online

Non refundable - 100% prepayment required.

Cut off date for booking is July 30.

Event Producer

Di Schmidtke

(She/Her)

Di Schmidtke is the creative spark behind Love Story Gathering, the joyful event where wedding creatives — celebrants, photographers, florists, venue managers and hair and makeup artists — come to connect, learn and celebrate.

With a background in celebrancy, education and a bit of event magic-making, Di knows how to mix heart, humour and a whole lot of fun into every gathering.

She's all about storytelling, community and helping wedding creatives build their businesses with new and old industry buddies.

Love Story Spons0rs

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodian of the land on which we gather for Love Story Gathering - Wathaurong Country.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise the continuing connection of all Aboriginal people to land, water, spirit and community.

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