Better Marriages, Australia was officially formed in 1980 after an initial contact and nurturing period under Better Marriages USA (formerly ACME, The Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment, its “parent’ organisation in the United States of America. Better Marriages USA had been formed some years earlier by world-renowned family sociologists, David and Vera Mace. At the invitation of Family Life Movement of Australia (now Interrelate), the Maces trained community leaders and couples from several different church denominations to commence marriage enrichment work.
Better Marriages Australia now has members across the country with committees in 2 states, New South Wales and Queensland. Heather and John McAlpine are the Chair Couple in New South Wales. The Queensland organisation is currently named Couples For Marriage Enrichment, Queensland. Leif and Janelle Pedersen are the Queensland Chair Couple.
This website will progressively publish information on behalf of the organisation in both states. This will include information and dates of future retreats, conferences and special events; articles, book reviews, resources and exercises to use at home. You can contact either of the committees through our Contact Us page or using the email contact details in the footer of each page of the website.
Married couples of any race, religion, vocation or age are welcome to attend activities, visit the website and become members of Better Marriages, Australia. By becoming a member of Better Marriages, Australia you will:
- receive discounted pricing for our Annual State Conferences and Workshops/Webinars during the period of your membership
- have the ability to access, via a member login, premium couple resources we will be developing, for members only, in addition to the range of resources already available to all website users
- know you are contributing to the training and accreditation of a growing number of Better Marriages Australia Leader Couples, thus enabling the opportunity for more localised marriage enrichment events.
- continue to support the planning and provision of access to conferences, workshops, resources and local marriage enrichment events in the future