Enduring romance thrives at Living Gems
‘Happily ever after’ doesn’t just happen in romance novels. A lifetime of love and devotion is on display at Living Gems communities right across Queensland. This Valentine’s Day, homeowners share their photos and memories of their special day.
Rod and Janene Griffith
Amber by Living Gems
9 March 1974
Married at the Methodist Church, Graceville
Rod and Janene will celebrate 50 years of marriage on 9 March. They were married just after major flooding devastated Brisbane in 1974. They can still recall how organisers of their reception at the Boulevard Tropical Gardens on the river at Indooroopilly – where three metres of water had flowed through the reception area and gardens – had to scramble to get the venue ready for their special day. “It poured on the day, and after the reception we only just made it through rising waters to get to the airport to fly to New Zealand for our honeymoon. It’s a day we will remember forever!”
Bevan and Cathy Beitzel
Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront
27 May 1972
Married in St Andrews Anglican Church, Lutwyche
“We met at a dance at Cloudland. Bevan and I were both in the Army Reserve. I was in the catering corps and was serving one night when I looked up and there he was standing in front of me. As there was a difference in rank – I was a corporal then and he was a warrant officer – he had to get official permission to take me out. When we married, I was working in the police service at that time and had lots of police officers attending the wedding and the reception at Lutwyche community hall. What I didn’t know until later is that when the men got to community hall, they discovered the key to the piano was missing! So, they went to the arts hall next door and pushed the piano up Lutwyche Road so we could have music and they did return it at the end of the night.”
Leo and Kay Lerve
Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront
8 February 1958
Married in the Presbyterian Church, Hamilton
“Leo and I met when I went on holidays to South Molle Island. He was working at the resort. After the holiday was over, we started writing to one another. We met again in October when he was on his way down to compete in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and we let my parents know that we intended to get married.”
Irene and Larry Clifford
Amber by Living Gems
15 April 1984
Shangri La Gardens, Wynnum
Irene and Larry Clifford were married in a garden wedding at Shangri La Gardens, Wynnum, 40 years ago this April. It was a second marriage for both these love birds who first met at a dance in the Jetset Singles Bar in Roma Street, Brisbane. “The moment I first saw Irene I was captivated. We started talking and the rest, as they say, is history.” Larry says he didn’t make a great impression on their first date because they went to the stage show, The Dresser, and all Irene could hear was his snoring. “I’d been training for an Army relay race and was exhausted!” Larry said.
Ray and Yvonne Hocking
Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront
15 February 1964
Married in East Bentley Methodist Church
“This year we celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary. And late last year, Ray and I celebrated our 80thbirthdays together because we’re only one day apart. We met at a dance, and I liked him immediately because he was very genuine and very thoughtful.”
Ken and Sue Brown
Amber by Living Gems
29 April 1978
Married at the Presbyterian Church, Spring Hill
It took former rugby league player Ken six months to eventually work up the courage to ask bank teller Sue on a date, but they have been together ever since. Their first date was to the restaurant at the Acacia Ridge Hotel, the same place where they would eventually hold their wedding reception. One night in a Gold Coast honeymoon suite followed. “We have been married 45 years now and are still just as much in love as we were on our wedding day.”
Paul and Debbie Nilsson
Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront
18 April 1976
Married in Mackay
The couple first met through the Mackay Rotaract Club in 1974 and love blossomed from there. Rotaract is the youth arm of the Rotary Club established in 1968 and which quickly spread across the world. Debbie’s gown featured a beautiful, tiered veil, ruffled bodice, and charming frill sleeves.
Robert and Jennifer Stunt
Amber by Living Gems
15 November 1975
Married at All Saints Church, Parramatta
Robert and Jennifer Stunt have been married 49 years in November 2024. Jennifer was a friend of Robert’s sister. “I first met her when they rang me at 2am to pick them up one New Year’s Eve. I only had a motorcycle so had to ferry them home one at a time. It was love at first sight for me,” said Robert. Their first date was to the twin drive-in at Chullora in Sydney. They have since celebrated their wedding anniversary every year and are planning an extra special occasion for their 50th in 2025.
Frank and Betty Norman
Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront
13 February 1965
Married in St Paschal’s Church, Wavell Heights
“We first met on a blind date that was set up by a chap I was sharing a boarding house with. I’d transferred to Brisbane from Townsville, and I’d also just broken up with a girl. As it happened Merv’s girlfriend Judy had a friend staying with her who happened to be Betty. Judy asked Merv if he knew someone who could accompany Betty. Our first date was to a restaurant above the Centenary Pool in Brisbane.”
Steve and Sandy Trevor
Amber by Living Gems
6 December 1980
Uniting Church, Mount Isa
Steve and Sandy Trevor will celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary this year. They first met when Sandy was 14 and Steve, who was an apprentice fitter and turner at the time, was 16. The couple honeymooned on the Gold Coast.
Stuart and Julia Woods
Amber by Living Gems
4 September 1982
Married at Tatra Hut, Dandenong Ranges
An office romance blossomed for Stuart and Julia Woods who first met while working at the State Insurance Office in Melbourne. Set to celebrate 42 years of marriage this year, the couple say they are even more in love today than when they were first married. “Our love has just grown stronger over the years,” said Stuart.
