I have known Jeff Carstens for over 20 years and have always found him to be honest, reliable and of excellent character. I spent over 20 years as a warranted Scout Leader and 10 years as a Group Leader of the 2nd Eltham Sea Scouts, on whose committee Jeff Carstens served as President. He was not only always on hand to help his own sons, but also became a father figure to many boys in the camp.
T. Reaks
Eltham South
8th March 2004

I have prepared this reference for Jeffery Carstens to assist him in becoming a Marriage Celebrant. I have listed my knowledge of his commitment to married life, along with his standing within the community, in which he has always been an active participant.
1. Nature and relationship with Jeffery Carstens
I have known Jeff for a period of 38 years starting my from when we both served in the Army Reserve (CMF), during this time I had close contact with him as we trained new recruits and gained promotion through the ranks.
Over this period of almost 8 years I learned that he had the ability to deal with people of all ranks and to pass on his knowledge of the subjects in which he had been trained.
Following this period he held senior positions within the motor industry as Senior Manager with the Ford Motor Company and BMW where he was held in high regard with the management and their large dealer networks, he had extensive travel as an International Manager overseas which gave him the opportunity to further his professionalism and leadership.
2. Commitment
Over the years we had had many discussions about the stability of marriage and family life. It is obvious that he has done an immense amount of study to further his knowledge for this subject, which would have originated back to his Scout leadership period when he would deal with many families and their teenage children's' development.
He is a confident and articulate person who thinks of others first and is able to give a sound opinion based on his knowledge and training.
3. Knowledge of support services
Part of his investigations on the subject matter has been contacting the various support services and agencies to gather the information required to advise his clients about the services available within the community.
He has formatted a number of lists of the advisory services to be offered to couples that have made contact with him for advice.
4. Standing within the community.
Jeff has shown leadership from his military and scouting days. These organistaions gave him the training that showed his ability, reliability, leadership skills and common sense.
He has been appointed reference committed with the Caravan Industry Association helping to guide and create standards and policy for caravan manufactures.
He was member of the St.John's Ambulance service for over 14 years, and other committees overseeing, basketball, junior football and school management.
5. Applicants reputation for personal integrity and ethical standards.
Since leaving the motor industry Jeff has formed his own manufacturing and marketing company producing electrical products for the camping and caravan industry. This has increased his public speaking skills as he has had to conduct.
He skills in presentations are reognised nationally throughout the industry. His personal integrity and his ethical standards and the methods in which he uses these skills see him being contacted daily by refereed members of the public who need advice on their investment in their caravans and the products needed to ensure their investment is a sound one.
6. Quality attributes
Jeffrey Carstens is a caring and compassionate person who through his many hobbies and interests has broadened his abilities and relationships with a wide range of people.
His integrity and honesty are beyond question and his leadership abilities have been developed over a number of years within the Army Reserve and his professional endeavors.
Barry Scott
Northcote Vic.
14th June 2004

I have been requested to prepare a reference for Jeff Carstens. I am informed of the purpose of this reference and gladly give my endorsement for the direction he is taking with his life. I support him in his desire to be a full-time celebrant. I am sure he will assist many others with their life choices, just as he has assisted me.

My relationship with Jeff
I first met Jeff in 1989, initially as one of his customers, then as a friend, confidant and mentor. During this time he also became a friend to my parents and in particular my father.
At his suggestion I became involved in scouting and with his help and guidance became a warranted Venturer Leader. This involvement in our community and in business.

Jeff's commitment to the central importance of the institution of marriage
I know the hours of study Jeff has put into his preparation to become a Celebrant. I also remember the guidance and advise he gave to me prior to my marriage. I approached him for this guidance in my preparation for marriage, as I considered him to be the most stable and suitable person from whom to obtain this help. I know that many of the Ventures I led him in Scouts, as they have matured, have used Jeff for guidance.

Knowledge of support services
Jeff, as part of his studies has explored the explored the counseling and marriage guidance services available in the north east area of Melbourne. He has prepared various papers to give to people seeking advice either before marriage or for marriage guidance in the future. I believe that as Jeff progresses as a Civil Celebrant he will become a focus point for those seeking advise. I have no doubt that he will assist these people.

Jeff's standing within the relationship
I know that many of the venturers before, during and after my time in scouting have seen Jeff as a role model. He has helped two that I know join the Police Force, one in Victroia, the other in N.S.W. Outside of Scouting he has helped young boys who were in trouble with the law. Two of these boys in particular are now stable (one married) and are good citizens in our community. I believe that without Jeff's involvement these two boys would now be leading a life of crime.
Jeff gives freely of his time to the industry that he works in, guiding and advising the industry bodies, manufacturers and the retail user of the products. He gives many talks both to the public and to the industry as a means of promoting higher standards within the industry.

Jeff as a person
Jeff is catalytic in his approach to any aspect of life. He is exceptionally positive, warm, "smiley", gentle natured, well spoken and mannered promoting an aura of peace and calm ("gentle giant" is the expression often used to describe him). However he can easily adapt himself to any situation or environment that requires a different approach. He can be totally involved or perhaps only in the background guiding and advising, depending upon what is the right thing to do. I have heard him say on many occasion, and perhaps this statement could be considered his motto, "I'm not interested in who is right or wrong, but what is right or wrong".

Jeff as a Celebrant
Jeff is tall and stands out in a crowd. He has a commanding presence and in his quiet way creates a situation where people want to be involved with him. he has prepared different ceremonies to cover a variety of marriage requests. He has created much of the materials to be used for readings in his ceremonies. The emotions he is able to create both spoken and in writing will make his ceremonies memorable.
S. Nicholls
Tallarook Vic.
10th June 2004

I have known Jeff since 1972. During the ensuing years, Jeff has become a very close friend, mentor, teacher, confidante and counselor.

In a pseudo official capacity Jeff has been M.C. at both my son and daughters weddings, he then delivered a very moving eulogy at my wife's funeral, of which I have treasured tape recording that was commented on by many of the attendees as the best they had heard.

In his business career Jeff has reached the pinnacle as a National and International Divisional Manager for both Ford Australia and BMW Australia.

He then created his own manufacturing, marketing and distribution company to handle a product of his creation which harnessed computerised solar energy for a niche market.

Jeff is an excellent public speaker.

He make it his business to be very informed on any subject he is presenting.

He is the consummate professional, he is articulate , he can he very funny or compassionate as the occasion requires.

Jeff has a fairly unique ability to communicate with a whole spectrum of people either individually of collectively.

He recently indicated to me his desire for a career path change and told me of his intentions, I can think of a no kre fitting conduit for his accumulated skills that that is on offer with your association.

RM Johnson
Labrador, Qld.
March 17 2004

I have been asked to prepare a reference for Jeffery John Carstens. I am unaware of the purpose for which the reference is required.

I advise that I have known Jeffery in excess of 10 years during which time I have found him to be a person of high moral character, sincere, honest and extremely personable in all he does.

I first met him as a client and found him to be a person of sound business ethics and fair in all he did. After a number of years, he became a friend and more latterly, a very good friend whose opinion I trust.

He is a person showing care and concern for the individual; for the family; and overall, for people generally. he is a confident person in all he does, and one who thinks of others frst. In fact, I note that his thoughts/opinions are often sought, including by his peers.

I have observed that Jeffery is a person experienced in leadership which no doubt emanates from not only hios own ability, but his experience and training in the Army Reserve, as a scout leader and a leader in his business and employment pursuits before I met him in business.

If you require any further information concerning Jeffery Carstens please contact me, as I should be only too pleased to speak on his behalf.
Adrian D Cran
Melbourne, Vic.
March 3rd 2003