70 years and going strong

Shirley and Don Auburn

After meeting in their late teens, Shirley and Don Auburn celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on February 3.

Mrs and Mr Auburn, who now live at Tarragal Glen Retirement Village, were born in Sydney and have lived on the Central Coast for 37 years.

Mrs Auburn said they marked their anniversary over lunch with their two children, two grandchildren, and six grandchildren.

“We had our big celebration on Saturday up at Saddles in Mount White,” she said.

“It was just a family affair; there were 15 of us, including our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“It was a beautiful day; it was absolutely lovely up there.”

The couple met at a Scout reunion and married three years later, when they were aged 21 and 23.

“My husband was a financial officer for the government, and I was a dressmaker,” Mrs Auburn said.

“I can’t say we haven’t had an argument in all of our 70 years.

“But I think you need to help one another and have much of the same interests.

“You’ve got to work with one another, otherwise it wouldn’t be successful.

“Mind you, you have to work at it, and you have to be very patient with one other.

“It has been quite an achievement.

“We have had many happy times.”

Jacinta Counihan