Reflections on life

THE couple discovered love in a rather uncanny way and they still get on swimmingly after being married for 64 years.

64 YEARS STRONG: Like Gwen’s garden, the Taylor’s love continues to blossom. Picture: Francis Witsenhuysen

THE couple discovered love in a rather uncanny way and they still get on swimmingly after being married for 64 years.

"We were married at the age of 24, I'm a little older than Ned - 32 days older in fact," Gwen said.

"I'm a cot stealer."

They met when Gwen stayed with Ned and his family in 1947, when she came to Fordsdale as a teacher.

"Ned's mother used to house the teachers and was one herself," Gwen said.

The Taylors smiled and laughed as Gwen recalled the finer details of their serendipitous first meeting.

"Love at first fight?, well it was funny," Gwen said.

"I came up from train from Dinmore, and the mailman met you at the station in those days.

"He stopped at Ma Ma Creek shop, which was the first post office."

Unbeknown to Gwen when she had got off the train, Ned had been at the station, watching her.

"He'd been sending pigs off on the train," Gwen said.

"Well the next stop was Mount Whitestone post office, and that happened to be Ned's auntie's shop." she said.

"Of course, he was there again wasn't he.

"Then we got to Fordsdale Post Office, which was run by another of Ned's aunties.

"He was there again."

Ned chimed in and said he had business to do - he had to see aunties and had to get the mail.

"Then the mailman dropped me off at the house…and there he was again, in the house," she said.

Chuckling, Ned said that was her side of the story.

"I've never lived it down," Ned said.

The Taylors spoke of having to get their own mail in those days and other major changes such as restricted petrol.

"We grew up during the war and we only got four gallons of petrol for the whole month," Gwen said.

"We used to pile in the backs of utes, to go to dances."

"Motor vehicles weren't common at all."

Gwen was born in Ipswich on September 18, 1927 and lived in Dinmore, before making the move to Fordsdale.

She attended school at Ipswich, then ventured to Brisbane to study to be a teacher at Kelvin Grove Teachers College.

"I taught for 27 years altogether," Gwen said.

"I was at Mitchell for about eight months before coming to Fordsdale, then I taught in Gatton for 21 years.

"I was an all-in-one teacher and taught all 17 kids."

Gwen has played the old-style, foot-powered organ for 75 years and she keeps up tradition and plays tunes at St Stephens, Ma Ma Creek.

Ned Taylor born was born in Gatton on October 21, 1927 and has been a dairy farmer all of his life, following his father's footsteps.

Ned was the director of Mt Sibly co-op Dairy Association for 21 years and the chairman for five.

Ned said Fordsdale had been a wonderful place to live.

"All the neighbours have been good and we've all been one big happy family," Ned said.

Ned and Gwen have four children and seven grandchildren, however no great grand kids, yet.

"They are a bit slack," said Gwen. "Only one married. And you wouldn't believe it, but I was flower girl at 87 for it last year and Ned was ring bearer."