Not many people can say that they have lived next door to each other for 74 years, but Footscray residents Vern Roberts and Wally Hopkins can.
The pair first met at Footscray Primary School, parting ways as they got older only to reunite years later as next door neighbours.
“I moved into my house in Footscray in December 1949, with my wife and two children,” said Vern.
Recalling the day he reunited with Wally, Vern said he was over checking on the building state of his new house.
“Wally came over and said he just bought the land next door and we were going to be neighbours,” he said.
Twelve months later Wally and his family of four moved in , creating life long family friendships.
According to Vern the secret to a long and successful friendship is just getting along.
“Our lives were very similar, I can’t remember us ever having a difference of opinion or any arguments,” he said.
“We are more than neighbours, we are good friends.”
Losing their wives within 12 months of each other , the pair naturally gravitated towards each other.
In order to make their afternoon chats easier, Vern said he called a carpenter in to modify their back fence.
“I used to talk to him over the fence but my daughter told me it was too dangerous to stand on the step, she thought I would fall over,” he said.
“We cut a hole in the fence so now we can sit there and talk to each other through the fence.”
When asked what his favourite memory was, Wally said he couldn’t pick just one.
He recalled the weddings of their children and their once loved careers, as well as the exciting things ahead.
“I will be turning 100 this year, we are starting to look at venues for the party,” he said.
“And I will tell you what Vern will definitely be invited.”
Vern will turn 100 on October 21 and Wally on May 15.
