Originally appeared as “Two couples share the love in front of Wickham power pole” Newcastle Herald – November 15, 2019 by Lisa Allan
WICKHAM’S power pole made international headlines when authorities traded barbs over who was responsible for its roadway location, now sparks of a different kind are flying at the accidental landmark.
Two couples followed the selfie-taking pole fans to the corner of Foundry and Albert streets at Wickham on Friday afternoon to declare their love for one another in two commitment ceremonies.
The “bit of fun” event was organised by marriage celebrant Kez Tippett to mark “a moment in time in Newcastle’s history” and raise money for a cause close to her heart.
Ms Tippett’s three-year-old daughter Maddie died from heart complications after contracting two strands of the common cold in 2014. Ms Tippett said she was grateful for the care her daughter received at John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
“Whenever I have the opportunity to do anything, it’s going to be for the John,” she said.
Ms Tippett said she had found in her work as a marriage celebrant at Wed by Kez that couples often wanted to “do things differently”.
“I’m always about people seizing opportunities to have a bit of fun,” she said.
She posted her offer to conduct commitment ceremonies at the pole, in exchange for a donation to the children’s hospital, on social media and quickly realised the pulling power of the pole. Her friend Kitty of Lily and Twine photography offered to photograph the commitment ceremonies and, on Friday afternoon, two Newcastle couples turned up to declare their love in front of the pole.
One of those couples was Ellen Kane, 27 and her partner, Roy Turner, 29, of Wallsend.
The couple, who have been together for eight years, are not engaged, though Ms Kane said Friday’s commitment ceremony could be an indicator of things to come.
“That might be my Christmas present,” she joked. “He was pretty readily agreeable to do this.”
The power pole has become a visitor drawcard since the council realigned the corner of Foundry and Albert streets and effectively left it stuck in the path of turning traffic last month. Ausgrid has said the pole can not be moved until early December.
Ms Kane said she had some immediate family and friends at Friday’s commitment ceremony, which was really just “a bunch of fun”.
“We do love having a bit of a laugh so the opportunity to have a laugh while doing something a bit fun while still helping others in need was really meaningful to both of us.”
Ms Kane was also keen to donate to the children’s hospital, remembering the dedicated staff who helped her following a double lung collapse when she was 16.
“The staff there were absolutely phenomenal,” she said.
“It’s a really great cause and it was a bit of fun for a Friday afternoon.”
Ms Tippett said she would conduct further ceremonies if there was interest.
“I will, in a heartbeat,” she said, adding that the city’s reaction to the pole is one of the reasons she loves Newcastle.
“In 12 months’ time we could be doing the same thing at a different location,” she said.
“You know what Newcastle’s like, icons pop up all the time.”
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