Ann Wason Moore’s tips on how to stay married on the Gold Coast - the divorce capital of Australia

The Gold Coast might be the lifestyle capital of the world, but we’ve also been crowned as Australia’s official Splitsville. Here’s how to avoid becoming a statistic.

The Gold Coast … beautiful one day, divorced the next.

This city might be the lifestyle capital of the world, but we’ve also been crowned as the country’s official Splitsville.

According to census data, Gold Coast suburbs make up one-third of the top 15 suburbs for divorcees across the state, with Southport and Surfers Paradise taking out first and second ‘prize’.

Meanwhile, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed that Queensland had the highest crude divorce rate in the nation — a title we’ve held for more than a decade, with the gap only widening further in recent years.

And the busiest time of year for divorce and family lawyers? Right now.

Ann Wason Moore and Michael Moore married in Surfers Paradise on January 17, 2004.

Gold Coast-based Attwood Marshall Lawyers senior associate Hayley Condon said many couples choose to call it quits after the stress of the festive season.

So local lovers beware, it seems our famous waves are not the only way to get dumped.

Even when it comes to dating, our city gets a bad rap.

Gold Coaster Lorelei Bates signed up for reality dating show Farmer Wants a Wife last year due to the dire prospects on her home turf.

“I think I speak for most girls on the Gold Coast … guys here are useless,” she said.

But I’m here to share the good news: you can find love, get married and stay married … all right here in this city.

Wednesday is the 20th anniversary of when I wed my own Gold Coast boy.

Ann Wason Moore and Michael Moore are celebrating two decades of marriage.

And I mean a true-blue local … he was born in the ’70s in what was then the Southport Hospital and grew up in the heart of Broadbeach in what became one of the last single-family homes on Phillip Avenue (yes, there’s a high-rise there now).

We met at the Gold Coast Turf Club in 1998, our first kiss was at Billy’s Beach House, our first date was in Broadbeach Mall, we were engaged in our first home in Mermaid in 2001 and married in Surfers Paradise on January 17, 2004.

He loved to surf, I loved Pacific Fair.

We’re basically the GC’s Romeo and Juliet, but without the death and drama.

However, we have weathered multiple moves, the birth of two children, the rollercoaster of finances, health and stress, and have even survived raising the world’s naughtiest labrador.

Maybe the men of the GC were different back in my day, or maybe I just discovered a true gem (or, considering his ’90s fashion sense, a diamond in the rough).

Ann Wason Moore and Michael Moore are celebrating two decades of marriage, even surviving wearing matching cat outfits in public.

Regardless, these are just a few of the qualities to look for, which I believe have made our marriage last:

GOOD DOMESTIC TRAINING

As the youngest of five children, and with three older sisters, my husband was well trained.

Not just in domestic duties (he cooks and cleans), but in terms of how he talks to and treats women — he respects us, he listens and he cares.

While he doesn’t always agree with me, I appreciate that … and they do say knowing how to engage in a good master debate session makes for a healthy marriage.

SOLID SENSE OF HUMOUR

No matter how serious the predicament, we can always find the funny side of the story.

And in both our marriage and our family, many of these involve a good bout of gastro.

Nothing says true love like laughing at a literally sh**ty situation.

ENJOYS ROLE PLAYING

Most frequently, he plays the role of the adult – paying the bills and watching the finances, while I play the role of urger – suggesting another order from Uber Eats or encouraging yet another home renovation project.

He also regularly plays the role of understanding husband, such as when he had to give wardrobe advice for my (work) visit to the swingers club on a Saturday night.

(For the record, we chose pants.)

PRINCIPLED POINT OF VIEW

He’s not just my best friend, he’s my filter.

I truly value his perspective … especially when it comes to my tendency to over-share.

Whenever I publish a particularly spicy story and his workmates ask if he knew what I was writing, he reminds them that he’s my unofficial editor and they wouldn’t believe what he made me change.

But not this column, it’s an Ann-iversary surprise.

After 20 years, we’ve enjoyed and endured plenty of adventures here and overseas, we’ve argued over the stupidest of issues (who ate the last lolly), and bonded over shared morals, ethics and, of course, pure love for our family and each other.

This city may not be famous for fidelity, but I’m proof that if you look hard enough, you can find real gold.