How did they do it? Ballina couple celebrates 70 years of marriage

When Stan and Elaine got married in 1951, Australia was a very different place – Robert Menzies was Prime Minister, television had not hit our shores yet and a loaf of bread cost a mere 12 cents.

Ballina residents Stan and Elaine celebrated 70 years of marriage recently.

When Stan and Elaine got married in 1951, Australia was a very different place – Robert Menzies was Prime Minister, television had not hit our shores yet and a loaf of bread cost a mere 12 cents.

Fast forward seven decades, and one thing has endured ‒ their love for each other.

The couple, who lives at Crowley Care in Ballina, celebrated their 70th anniversary recently.

When Stan was asked what he loved most about Elaine, he was clear of the answer.

“Where do I begin?” he said.

“I simply love every little thing about her.”

Elaine was also full of praise for her husband.

“Stan is a wonderfully caring human and I’ve deeply appreciated this over the years,” she said.

“Across the years, we have been blessed to have family and friends around who support us.”

On Stan and Elaine’s wedding day in 1951, in Annandale, Sydney, the church experienced a blackout.

It meant Elaine had to walk down the aisle lit by romantic candlelight.

And the romance has continued ever since.

The couple moved up to the Northern Rivers in 2015 from the Central Coast, to be closer to family.

The Crowley Care community came together to celebrate their special romantic event with a morning tea.

Stan even offered his tip for a long, happy marriage.

“The secret to a long marriage is to care deeply for one another and to look after each other.”