Humble beginnings lead to 50 years of marital bliss

Find out how Joe and Nina Ricca, the namesake behind Ricca Rd, celebrated their golden anniversary

MARITAL BLISS: Joe and Nina Ricca recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Picture: Contributed

IT WAS a family affair as Joe and Nina Ricca celebrated their golden anniversary on February 22.

They celebrated with dinner at Anna's Restaurant with their three children, Connie Taylor, Sam Ricca and Sarina Maggiolo, and their partners and six grandchildren.

Daughter Sarina Maggiolo said her parents married in 1969 when they farmed on a property on an unnamed road originally bought by Joe's parents. It was eventually named Ricca Rd.

They grew table grapes, stone fruit, some vegetables and made and sold bulk wine. Their first daughter, Connie, was born in 1970 followed by twins Sarina and Sam in February 1975. Joe and Nina have been involved in the community as members of service clubs, with Joe being part of Apex Club and the Lions Club. While their children attended Ballandean State School they were heavily involved in the school's P and C, helping with fundraising activities and being part of the school's 75th jubilee committee in 1984. Sarina has fond memories of fundraising that her parents helped with at Ballandean such as pasta days where Nina and her sister would cook home-made spaghetti bolognaise for the students.

Daughter Connie remembers in 1976 when Sam and Sarina celebrated their first birthday with family, Ballandean was inundated with a flood and the guests were stranded at the property for two days.

"Joe and Nina worked very hard on the family farm, but when they could tried to have time away with their family,” Sarina said.

They later sold part of the original farm to what is now Tobin Wines and bought land where they run some cattle along with maintaining a very large vegetable garden.

They are currently enjoying semi-retirement spending time with family which includes six grandchildren: John and Ryan Taylor, Daniel and Joel Ricca and Olivia and Georgia Maggiolo. Joe helps their son Sam on his property at Ballandean and Nina does work as a school crossing supervisor.

They also have enjoyed several overseas trips with more planned.