Tara proposed to Susie in September, and the initial elation faded into a bitter sweet realisation their marriage would not be recognised by Australian law.
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Months later, and the couple from Culburra are celebrating the change in marriage law, that now includes their relationship.
“I was going to the bottle shop on Thursday, and the girl that works there told me the news,” Susie said.
“I was buying a six pack, instead we bought almost a case.
“We spoke to family and friends that had been fingers crossing for us, we celebrated with everyone.”
The owners of a thriving cafe in Culburra put a rainbow flag in store during the postal survey to create a safe space for LGBTI community members.
“Culburra as a community has been absolutely amazing,” Susie said.
“So many people have come in, and thrown their support behind us.
“It could have gone either way.”
On the day the result was announced, they held a morning tea for community members like them who were sweating on the result.
“People came here that were by themselves, they didn’t want to be alone if it was a no vote,” Susie said.
On a personal level, for Tara, Susie and many of their friends, the last few months have been incredibly challenging.
“It was really emotionally taxing,” Susie said.
“It brought up those feelings from when you first came out, you think, ‘Is someone going to say something negative?’
“A lot of people I speak to went through a lot of turmoil.”
Tara Landrebe and Susie Peak will get married in 2019.
They were considering an overseas wedding in a country like New Zealand where same sex marriage is recognised.
“Now we don’t have to fly ourselves, and all our close family and friends to another country,” Susie said.
“We don’t have to pick and choose, everyone gets to come and experience it with us.”
