Mr Ings said they were married at 3pm on November 18, 1967 at Ss Peter and Pauls Cathedral in Goulburn. 

“It seems like there were a lot more weddings in those days because there were three weddings at the Cathedral that same day,” Mr Ings said. 

“We held the reception at Christchurch, West Goulburn in the hall and about 100 people attended. They came from Wollongong, Canberra, Sydney, Parkes and Junee.”

He said the secret of a long and happy marriage was to “support each other.”

“Like all marriages we have had our ups and downs,” he said.

“The key is to support each other. Having a sense of humour also helps a great deal.

“Berry has been there through all of it and most recently through my medical challenges with my eyesight. 

“We have three children that are still all living in town - Brian is 48 Mgr Harris Scarfe, Lynette is 45 next month and Robert is 37,” he said. 

“We also have six grandchildren.” 

Mr Ings said he was only 23 then and Berry was 22 on their wedding day. 

A report in the Goulburn Evening Post at the time said Berry wore a: “beautiful bouffant gown of gipure lace over satin, featuring tears of lace at each side of the skirt.’ 

“Twin sisters, Kerry and Bery Mills, friends of the bride, were bridesmaids,” the report said.

“The flower-girl was Suzanne Ings, sister of Mr Ings.

“The groom was attended by his cousins, Robert and Bruce Ings.

“The songs played at their wedding included O Perfect Love and Ave Maria. 

“They spent their honeymoon touring the North Coast.”

 Mr Ings is recovering from his eye surgery extremely well.

He is famous for being the first man in the country to get the ‘tooth in the eye’ surgery, called t is called osteo-odonto kerato-prosthesis, where medical specialists replaced his cornea with one of his own teeth with a lens in it.

“I am generally walking unassisted now,” he said. 

He said three others have had the same surgery in Australia since his successful operation and he keeps in touch with them all. 

Do you know someone in the community who is celebrating a social milestone?

If so, call the Goulburn Post on 02-4827 3500 or go to the website, goulburnpost.com.au, community, send us your news.