By Melissa Grant
A RAILWAY dance led to a whirlwind romance for Kenneth and Betty Woodbury – and 60 years on their marriage is still going strong.
The Garfield couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last week, after meeting in Hamilton almost a lifetime ago.
They had known each other for less than a year when they walked down the aisle at a quaint Presbyterian church in the rural Victorian town.
Kenneth was working on the railroads when he met Betty – a regular at Hamilton’s Saturday night dance.
“I’d been going to dances for years and Ken had only just shifted,” she said.
“I didn’t know much about him, just that he was a new bloke in town.”
The couple has lived in Garfield for 56 years of their 60-year marriage. Kenneth and Betty, who both came from large families, raised eight children at their Garfield Road property.
Kenneth worked a few jobs during their marriage – for the Conway Butter factory in Longwarry, Barnes’ Milk carriers and Telecom – while Betty had her hands full with their children.
“I had enough to do at home,” she laughed.
Betty, 83, and Ken, 80, didn’t reveal their secret to a successful marriage, but did say theirs was by no means unique.
“Like all marriages you have your arguments,” Betty said.
“We’ve been lucky. We’ve got good kids and there’s a lot to be thankful for.”
The couple also has 20 grandchildren and another on the way as well as 20 great-grandchildren and another two on the way.
Betty and Kenneth celebrated their 10 January anniversary with family and friends at the local hall.
