Course Overview

‘Good Beginnings’ has been collaboratively developed by Benevolence Australia and ‘Sir Zelman Cowen Centre’ at Victoria University as a pre-marriage counselling resource for Muslim couples. The program works to create opportunities for conversations with Muslim pre-marriage couples about how to build respectful relationships and strong marriages when they are at the beginning of their journeys together.

Couples work with a trained Good Beginnings Marriage Mentor to complete the course. 

Start your journey as a couple

Learn about the Prophetic model of marriage and develop the skills and knowledge required for a healthy, long-lasting relationship.
Find a marriage mentor
couple taking course

What you'll learn

  • Effective Communication

    Learn about positive communication styles and practice your assertiveness and active listening skills.

  • Self-awareness and self-knowledge

    Discover how understanding yourself and your partner is the foundation for any lasting relationship.

  • Conflict Management

    Learn how to identify critical issues and approach conflict calmly and effectively.

Course Outline

  • The Prophetic Model of Marriage

  • Knowing your Strengths as a Couple

  • Communication Styles

  • Stress

  • Conflict Management and Resolution

  • Understanding Each Other and your Families

  • Being Yourself in a Couple

  • Financial management

Learn from Real Couples

“I totally recommend you to read a poem by Mufti Menk. It's called Marriage Is A School. I think the main message is that it's a process. It's a tool, a platform for you to develop yourself... It's a big miss not to get married in my view because you get a lot of opportunities to grow. ”

Married 11 yearsI totally recommend you to read a poem by Mufti Menk. It's called Marriage Is A School. I think the main message is that it's a process. It's a tool, a platform for you to develop yourself... It's a big miss not to get married in my view because you get a lot of opportunities to grow.

Nadia

“[Marriage] is a time when you really start a new chapter of your life... so you need to be really ready for any kind of challenges. Marriage is the first one, then having kids, then having grandchild, and then business. We need to be ready.”

Married 12 years

Fayek

“When young people first meet and get to know each other... I often see them as just walking on eggshells and not having some of those difficult conversations that are really, really important before marriage. There's going to be things in those conversations that are deal breakers, and things that aren't. And so it's really important to have that help and guidance from people around you.”

Married 36 years

Hesham

FAQ

  • Can you do the course if you're already married?

    Yes, of course. No matter how long you have been married, this course is a good opportunity to grow and strengthen your relationship.

  • Do I need a Marriage Mentor?

    The course is designed to be delivered by a qualified Marriage Mentor. You can find out who is available in your area by visiting the Benevolence Australia website.

  • Can I do the course without my partner?

    Good Beginnings is a course for couples to complete together. Many of the skills take two people to practice.

Produced in Partnership

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