Lifelong locals celebrate 65 year milestone

A 65-year marriage is a rare milestone, and well-known Bellbrae residents Keith and Heather Grossman quietly reached it last month.

The Grossmans Road couple married in February 1961, when Heather was 21 and Keith 23. They went on to raise six children and are now grandparents to 15 and great-grandparents to one.

Heather was born at home in Pearl Street, Torquay, while Keith was born at Geelong Hospital.

Across more than six decades, the couple have remained closely connected to the Torquay and wider Surf Coast community through volunteering, sponsorship and involvement in local sport. Both have supported the Geelong and Torquay football clubs, while Keith has held a range of leadership roles.

A fourth-generation Surf Coast resident, he served on the Surf Coast Shire council for a decade, including as mayor in 2004-05, and was named a Surf Coast “Local Legend” in 2020 in recognition of his community service.

 

 

He has also served as president of the Torquay Football Club, Torquay Cricket Club, Surf Coast Tennis Club, and the Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association, and has chaired the Bellbrae Cemetery Trust.

The Grossmans’ daughter Tamara said her parents had been a constant source of support for their family.

“Through thick and thin, Mum and Dad have always been there for us. They guide us, inspire us and are fantastic grandparents to 15 grandchildren.

“Their dedication to local clubs and organisations has been on a grand scale with Mum’s love of tennis passing on to us kids, especially the girls, and Dad’s love for sport in general seeing him heavily involved in local clubs.

“Dad also gives anyone a go, so many people have come to the farm over the years looking for work, or poaching, and he has given them a job, or a chance.

“There are dozens out there that have done a stint at the Grossman’s farm or shot Mum’s ducks, been caught, and end up fencing or carting hay.”