Surrounded by family, friends and three important letters, western suburb residents Frank and Hilary Carlin celebrated six decades of marriage last month, a journey which started at a dance hall in Footscray.
Long gone are the anniversary presents of paper, tin or even gold- which is traditionally gifted for a 50th wedding anniversary.
To celebrate 60 years of marriage, the glittering gift of diamonds is traditionally assigned to celebrate the momentous achievement that many don’t make.
But for Frank and Hilary, the sparkle of their years together shines brighter than any diamond.
Meeting at a dance in Footscray, the couple went on to have three children and are prominent members of the Sunbury community.
“I went to a dance in Footscray in 1951… and saw this pretty girl in the hall,” Frank said. “I introduced myself, asked for a dance and I was hooked.
“It ended up with us getting engaged two years after that, married and [then having] three kids.”
Frank said that celebrating this milestone means that he is getting older but “it’s great to be alive… and have a good wife alongside me”.
For Hiliary, who moved to Australia from England when she was 12 years old, having three beautiful children together has been a highlight.
“I like going out to dinner together and having quality time with one another,” she said.
“[For the anniversary] I got a diamond ring and a diamond eternity ring, which was very nice. We also got a card from the governor general, prime minister and a card from King Charles and his wife.”
Hiliary’s parting words of wisdom about why their marriage has lasted so long was a simple one.
“Be kind to one another, love one another and don’t stray,” she said.
Zoe Moffatt
