Mary and Hugh Celebrate 70 Wonderful Years
Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Hugh and Mary Wallace of Resthaven Mount Gambier, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on 17 April, 2018.
Mr and Mrs Wallace both grew up in Mount Gambier, meeting at a local dance. When Mary later moved to Adelaide for nursing training at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, it didn’t stop Hugh – he regularly travelled to Adelaide to visit Mary.
Mary was still living in Adelaide when Hugh proposed to her, but she didn’t give him an answer straight away, instead writing to her mother for advice. Mary says, ‘Mother was pleased that Hugh didn’t drink or smoke’.
Mary and Hugh were married in St Andrew’s Church (then the Presbyterian Church). They continued to attend St Andrew’s throughout their lives, making lifelong friends whom Mary calls her ‘church family’.
The couple lived at O.B. Flat for many years, and also owned land where they ran sheep and cattle. Mary helped out on the land, driving trucks and the tractor.
The couple had five children: Mack, Mandy, Robbie, Lloyd, and Barry.
In 1963, Hugh developed Glaucoma, and could no longer drive. With the children grown up, the couple bought a railway cottage, which they transported, and built a new home on the site.
Later, the couple (pictured on their wedding day in 1948, and present day) moved to Resthaven Mount Gambier, where they have lived happily for the last five years.
When Mary is asked what the secret to a happy marriage is, she replies with a laugh, ‘Who said it was happy?! It wasn’t all roses and bliss! But seriously, we’ve had a good life.’
When Hugh is asked what he thought the secret to a happy marriage was, he thinks for a while before saying, ‘Work together, and stay sober’.
Mr and Mrs Wallace celebrated their milestone anniversary with a party organised by their son, Mack, held in the Resthaven Mt Gambier Hall. Around fifty family, friends, and fellow residents attended to wish them well.
Many happy returns!
Established in 1935, Resthaven Incorporated is a not for profit, South Australian aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church. Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of around 10,000 older people and their carers, working together to provide outstanding care and support.
Resthaven residential aged care homes are located at Bellevue Heights, Craigmore, Leabrook, Malvern, Marion, Mitcham, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Paradise, Port Elliot and Westbourne Park. A new home Aberfoyle Park will open in July.
Resthaven’s in-home care and support options are offered throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast.