Jack and Irene Munro celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Friday, 31 March.
By Paul Dunlop
JACK and Irene Munro were married the year Melbourne hosted the Olympics.
It seems only fitting then that they should celebrate their golden wedding anniversary soon after the Commonwealth Games came to town.
The pair, who moved to Pakenham two years ago, have enjoyed a harmonious and active union since they were introduced through Jack’s aunty and wed on 31 March, 1956, in Gosford, New South Wales.
Jack’s family were all from Trafalgar, where his grandfather founded the town’s football club in 1888, while Irene was born in Gosford.
Despite only recently coming to live in the Meadowvale Retirement Village, Pakenham already feels like home.
“We’re not going anywhere else,” Jack said.
The pair have two sons Lex and Brett and a daughter Kim. They have built many friendships through involvement with football. Jack played with Trafalgar before he dislocated his shoulder and has had a 21year association with the sport as an administrator.
He was club president at East Burwood and was also in charge of the Morwell Football Club with Irene busy on social committees.
“Sport has been a big part of our lives,” Irene said. Their sons remain involved in football with one an assistant coach at AFL club Carlton and the other coaching Cowes.
Jack was a salesman for many years before the pair operated motels. They lived in Albury before moving to Pakenham to be closer to their sons.
Both are involved in village life. “We really enjoy it here,” Jack said.
Irene and Jack will celebrate their anniversary with family and friends at a function at Meadowvale on Sunday.
They have six grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren.
