Tamborine’s Jim and Wendy Moore are celebrating a happy 60 years of marriage this week, but they won’t be making too much of a fuss.
Mrs Moore said they generally go out to lunch for special occasions and this year isn’t going to be any different.
“Well we are having a little party, but it’s just like when everyone comes round for a barbecue normally,” she said.
Way back in the second half of the 1950’s the couple met at a dance at Zillmere.
“It had been awful weather so I put off my fishing trip and went to the dance,” Mr Moore said.
“She was sitting there all by herself and I asked her if I could have a dance.”
The Moores were married in a Methodist Church at Chermside on July 26, 1957.
“It was just a small family wedding,” Mrs Moore said.
“We had the reception at home and it was catered for by my parents.”
Mr Moore was a spray painter and panel beater for most of his working life, but the Moores also owned a fruit shop together.
During his years, Mr Moore took a risk on a prawn trawler, which was “an experience to say the least”.
Mrs Moore was a ledger keeper and a typist, but made a decision to work at a jumper factor.
“They wanted me to be the books girl there, but I said ‘no, I want to work in the factory’, and so that’s how I became a jumper cutter,” Mrs Moore said.
Mr Moore said Wendy had been a “pretty good panel beating assistant too”.
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The pair had a daughter Carol and son Jeffery and now have five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
They headed out on many camping adventures and their favourite spot was Wellington Point.
Mr Moore said it was great as they knew everyone else in the camping area and the children could go off and play safely.
“We’d go there every Christmas time and meet up with all the same people again,” he said.
“We had a caravan at Kings Cliff too and spent some time out on Moreton Bay.”
When asked about the secrets of their success, the Moores reflected on some of the difficult times in their lives.
“We always worked together,” Mr Moore said.
“We share everything and you’ve always got to have a sense of humour with each other.
“I don’t think she’s half bad either so I better keep her now.”
As avid gardeners, the Moores welcome lots of wildlife to their yard and also have have a cow named Mooey and two dogs Trixie and Tina.
Mr Moore said part of the joy of living in Tamborine was the ability to live by the water.
“When we brought this land, I knew I was going to dig a dam,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted a waterfront home.”
The Moores will celebrate their anniversary with a family party on July 29.
