Togetherness a recipe for a long marriage

JAN and Tom Rowe have rarely spent any time apart since their marriage on 10 October 1964.

The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last month.

“We both lived in Rochester,” said Mr Rowe.

“I got to drive Jan home after she did her debut, and her partner left early.

“She got out of the car pretty quickly but we reconnected soon after that and have been together ever since.

“I was working for the shire at the time and Jan worked two doors down in the tuck shop.”

The couple became engaged in 1963 before marrying in 1964.

Mr Rowe moved to Heathcote in January 1967 to take up a position as an engineer. His wife followed in March after the birth of their first son, Peter.

Son Paul and daughter Jenny were born in Heathcote.

“We love Heathcote,” said Mrs Rowe.

“It’s a friendly place and the people are so nice.

“Over the years we have both been involved in various activities in the town. I was president of the kindergarten committee and we joined the primary school council.

“I was a cub leader and we both helped take kids on camps. We also relieved the managers at Queen Meadow Caravan Park when they went on holidays.

“There was one couple who came to stay every year. They were dripping in gold and diamonds and had a new van each year.

“I was invited to their van to have a drink and went for a drive around town with them in their luxury car.

“I was stunned when a few years later I saw his photo in the paper, wanted for robbery.

“That explained all the gold and diamonds, but they were both lovely to us.”

The couple celebrated their anniversary with a quiet family dinner.