Ballarat same-sex couple Lesley Williams and Megan Fromholtz can thank their family and friends for helping them win a national competition to have their wedding photos taken for free.
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Ms Williams and Ms Fromholtz were nominated at least 10 times in the competition by Melbourne-based wedding photographer Alan Moyle, who only agreed to take the photographs for free if the same-sex marriage laws were passed by the federal government.
Of all the nominations from around Australia, Mr Moyle was torn between two entries from Ballarat, so decided to give it to both couples. The wedding photograph package is valued at more than $3000.
The other Ballarat couple to share the winning spoils are Rhys Jeffrey and Lachlin Ramsey, who have been together for seven years.
Ms Williams and Ms Fromholtz, proud parents to baby daughter Clementine, are planning a 1940s vintage fete-style wedding for October next year.
Speaking about the passing of marriage equality in Australia, Ms Williams said it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. “For Clementine, it means (Australia) is more accepting of her parents. It’s normalising our relationship,” Ms Williams said.
The pair said they were very proud of the support for same-sex marriage from the Ballarat community. “For a conservative community like Ballarat, a 75 per cent yes vote means a lot to us,” Ms Fromholtz said.
Ms Williams and Ms Fromholtz, met in 2001 after becoming neighbours and started dating soon after. Ms Williams proposed to her long-term partner during a romantic beach picnic at Easter 2013. A ring belonging to Ms Williams’ grandmother will be remodelled into two wedding rings for the 2018 spring nuptials.
Mr Moyle, who ran the competition, said the two Ballarat couples received the most nominations from the other 20 entrants. “I have been following the same-sex marriage debate for years. This (competition) was my way of bringing more joy to couples,” he said.
