Eumemmerring couple Robert and Joan Thomson will
By Callan Date
ROBERT and Joan Thomson will have more than one reason to celebrate this Christmas.
The Eumemmerring couple will combine some festive cheer with the romance of their 70th wedding anniversary a day later on Boxing Day.
Clover Cottage in Berwick is set down for the milestone celebration that will involve Mr and Mrs Thomson’s four children, nine grandchildren, three great-grand children and the many other family and friends who have been part of their special journey that started in the UK in 1937.
After growing up only a few doors down from each other in Southport in north-western England, the couple hit it off at a social ballroom dancing night.
Mr Thomson, 94, proposed two years later and the couple were soon married.
When asked about the proposal, Mr Thomson is quick to laugh and dismiss the elaborate modern day trouble many would-be-grooms go to.
“It wasn’t like the rubbish you see today with proposals. You didn’t carry on like they do now,” he said with a laugh.
The couple spent more than 20 years of their married life in Great Britain before making the biggest decision to move to Australia.
Mr and Mrs Thomson were in their 40s when they and their four children packed their things and headed off on the life changing move.
Mrs Thomson, 91, and her husband say there were ups and downs after the move but they are thankful they decided to call Australia, and Victoria, their home.
“We settled in Hepburn Springs and then we moved to Noble Park in 1960.
“We have been in Eumemmerring since 1996 and like it here.”
The Olive Gardens Retirement Village residents will receive wedding anniversary congratulation from the Queen, the Governor-General, the State Governor and the Premier on the big day.
But the company they receive from their family will be cherished forever, according to Mr Thomson.
“We have been very lucky with our health and we have a great family.
“We really enjoy each others’ company and when you get to our age you just live for every day,” he said.
