The bells rang in Parliament on Wednesday, but not for the reason you might expect.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Launceston MLC Rosemary Armitage surprised her fellow members when she married her partner of eight years, Bruce Potter, at Parliament House in Hobart.
Montgomery MLC Leonie Hiscutt, who just happens to be a marriage celebrant, married the couple after the wedding was sneakily organised with the help of Apsley MLC Tania Rattray.
But the newlyweds had to keep tight-lipped, inviting their colleagues to the surprise wedding under the pretence of Christmas drinks.
Mrs Armitage, who was sitting in government business enterprise hearings at Parliament all day, said it was exciting to be able to surprise her colleagues with the exciting event.
“We have children all over Australia, we have lots of friends and it was suggested by one of my fellow members that we do it at Parliament,” Mrs Armitage said.
“We let a few people know – my bridesmaid is Tania Rattray, my celebrant is Leonie, and the president [Nelson MLC Jim Wilkinson] is giving me away.
“These people have become like family because you’re spending all your time with them.”
Mrs Armitage’s wedding was the first time a wedding had ever been held in the President’s Room.
Members from across the state were left shocked but excited when the secret was revealed and the couple began saying their vows.
“Bruce is just a lovely man,” she said.
“It’s nice to be able to get married and if you’re going to do it, rather than have a big wedding somewhere, we thought why not do it in Parliament?”