Most people are happy to make it to 60 but for Goulburn couple Bill and Barbara Newman, six decades of marriage feels like just the beginning.
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Bill and Barbara will celebrate their Diamond Anniversary on Wednesday February 2 after tying the knot all the way back in 1962.
That life together has seen them travel and work all over the world, not bad for two Tassie kids.
Both worked as teachers in their home state as well as Sydney, bookending time spent running an antiques business. Bill also served as Mayor of Randwick in the 1970s and 80s.
In recent years they discovered Goulburn and decided to move to the city at the encouragement of their two children, Jenni and Paul, who have watched them enjoy a busy retirement.
Their union is one of endless happy memories, achievements and adventures which fatefully began with a case of mistaken identity at a university Bastille Day party back in 1961.
"I thought he was someone else actually," Barbara admitted.
"There were two guys called Bill and they looked similar and I thought it was the other one! That was July 1961 when we first met and we were engaged by September, we didn't waste any time."
Not one to sit on good fortune, Bill was quick to pop the question with the help of some friends.
"The proposal was very romantic," she laughed.
"We were in the university cafeteria having a cream bun and he just asked me to marry him. We were poverty stricken uni students so his mum gave us a ring.
"I was encouraged to accept his proposal by all the girls I played hockey with. They knew him and said you can't let a nice boy like that down!"
Their marriage also ensured they stayed together after graduation as both were bonded teachers with the Tasmanian Department of Education.
On Saturday they'll celebrate in Goulburn alongside family from all over Australia. Daughter Jenni said her parents' open-minded approach to life had inspired her.
"It's been incredible," she said.
"I try and reflect on the moments I'm most proud of my parents and clearly achieving a 60-year marriage is right up there.
"I'm proud that they are willing to try new things and adapt to take on opportunities when they present themselves."
"But the thing I'm most proud of is how community-minded they are. They are part of different groups, since coming to Goulburn they've leapt into the walking group as well as others.
"They really love this place, it's given them a new lease on life."
So, what's the secret to a 60-year marriage?
"We do have a strong bond," she said.
"I was actually thinking about that the other day, you need to in order to be able to work with each other 24/7.
"We've had a wonderful adventure."
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