When northern NSW retirees Sam and Mary Hurren moved in next door to long-time Raymond Terrace couple Kevin and Deanna Warden, the bond between the two couple was almost instant.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The neighbouring pair shared similar interests and age - Sam is 83, Kevin is 82 while Mary and Deanna both celebrate their 80th birthday this year.
The Wardens have three children and seven grandchildren, the Hurrens have two children and two grandchildren.
"We had lived most of our adult lives in Raymond Terrace and when the Hurrens moved in next door a little over 20 years ago we became firm friends," explains Kevin.
"We just got on really well together. We had moved here to be closer to our son, who was stationed at the Williamtown RAAF Base," added Mary.
It wasn't, however, until a few years later that the two couples discovered that they shared an unimaginable similarity.
Coincidentally, both the Hurrens and the Wardens were married on the same day at the same time, albeit more than 600km apart.
The Hurrens were married on September 30, 1961, at 3pm at the St Mary's Catholic Church in Casino, while the Wardens took their vows on September 30, 1961, at 3pm at the Methodist Church in Raymond Terrace.
Unfortunately, due to the current COVID restrictions the couple had to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversaries away from each other in their separate homes.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 lockdown has put a bit of a damper on any planned 'double celebrations'.
"It would have been great to celebrate together, but we didn't want to break any health orders so we will just have to wait till the restrictions ease," Kevin said.
Mary added: "Sam and I will enjoy a glass of bubbly today and I am sure that once the restrictions ease we will be able to celebrate this milestone together."
Kevin Warden met and Deanna (nee O'Brien), from Singleton, through mutual friends and the two have been active in the Raymond Terrace community, particularly through their involvement in sport.
The Hurrens, on the other hand, ran a mixed business 600km north in the rural town of Casino before retiring to Raymond Terrace to be closer to family.
As for the secret to 60 years of happy marriage, Kevin quipped: "Working as a team, strong family values and plenty of laughs ... Deanna says it's having to put up with me."
Mary said that partnerships are built on love, trust and honesty.
"And of course enjoying one another's company."
Share your community news with the Examiner. Email the details to portstephens@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
In other Port news
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.portstephensexaminer.com.au
- Follow us on Instagram @psexaminer
- Follow us on Twitter @PortExaminer
- Follow the Port Stephens Examiner on Facebook
