Dedicated husband-wife team share wonderful sporting bond

To still be happily together after five decades of marriage, you must be doing something right. See how Brian and Robyn Zeidler have enjoyed their wonderful bond.

To still be happily together after 50 years of marriage, you must be doing something right.

For popular Ipswich sporting couple Brian and Robyn Zeidler, the recipe for success is simple.

“It’s mainly because we had the same goals - a great family and a nice house - and that’s what we both wanted,’’ Brian said.

“They were pretty average sort of things but it has worked.’’

After marrying five decades ago, Brian and Robyn lived at Raceview for 40 years before relocating to Flinders View.

Brian grew up in Mortimer Street, near the Ulster Hotel in the CBD before working as a plumber.

Robyn earlier lived in East Ipswich, working in the Beaurepaires office for the tyre company.

Having strong family sporting connections is another reason they have been a friendly and familiar couple around Ipswich.

Brian was a talented baseballer - a lead-off right-handed batter, shortstop and relief pitcher.

Robyn was a 100m sprinter who was part of the famous Johnson cricketing family. Her uncle was Len Johnson, after which the North Ipswich cricket field is named.

Both are Ipswich Musketeers life members.

Brian was nicknamed ‘Zid’ at school, before landing ‘Zig’ and most commonly ‘Ziggy’ during his sporting career.

Aged 14, Brian started playing for Musketeers Baseball Club in 1960 after long-time mate Bruce Ogden invited him to join his first junior team.

In that year he was picked in the Queensland under-15 side.

Flashback memorable moment: Proud Ipswich couple Brian and Robyn Zeidler recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

It was fitting Brian and Robyn met at a 1967 sporting event that became a triple celebration.

They formed a bond after Musketeers won their first A and B Grade grand finals in the Brisbane competition.

Robyn was 17 at the time. That night was also Brian’s 21st celebration.

They started dating after the party and got engaged in 1969.

In June that year, Brian was called up for two years National service, prematurely halting his baseball career.

Before his call-up, Brian was impressing in baseball.

He still holds a Musketeers record for scoring six safe hits from six times at bat in one game.

The pitcher for the opposition that day was Brian’s great mate Clive Jones. He played for Mt Gravatt Eagles before later playing and coaching for Musketeers.

“Clive always said he had a sore arm that game,’’ Brian said. “We used to joke about it.’’

Robyn once displayed her sprinting skills winning a challenge against former club stalwart Margaret Vogler at the first Musketeers picnic.

When Brian returned to Musketeers after two years away, he joined the B Grade side.

Still having a love of the game, he took on the A-Grade manager’s role where he shared in Musketeers grand final successes from 1985-88 and in 2001.

Brian was fittingly named Musketeers leading manager at the club’s 50 year celebration in 2004 at the Ipswich Civic Centre.

Long-serving Ipswich Musketeers manager Brian Zeidler.

Brian and Robyn also got heavily involved in the social club running trips away, trophy nights and new faces nights along with many functions to help raise revenue for the club.

Robyn served as treasurer as Brian continued his long association with the club.

They both received life membership for their years of commitment.

In 1997, Brian and Robyn started their own plumbing business and had to resign from their Musketeers positions.

The couple ran a successful plumbing business for more than 20 years.

However, they never strayed far from remaining connected with baseball.

Brian, Robyn and Bob Ellison also started the Musketeers Old Boys organising events with past players, family and friends.

Brian and Robyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 4 at the PA Hotel.

Although a limited number of guests could attend due to Covid restrictions, Brian said it was a wonderful way to reflect on years of sporting enjoyment, commitment and lifelong friendships - laced with some humour.

“We talked about renewing our vows and I said ‘look I don’t think you’ll have to because as long as I keep mowing, doing the watering, the occasional dishes . . . that will keep me going a few more years’,’’ Brian joked.

Brian and Robyn hope to enjoy another goal together - more travelling - when Covid restrictions ease.

After Brian retired, they ventured on a five-week tour to America, Alaska and Canada and enjoyed trips to New Zealand and Tasmania.

Brian and Robyn have children Tanya and Grant.

Brian said having that strong family network allows him and Robyn to continue their lifelong journey together.

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