Stuart and Anne Kerr celebrate 70th wedding anniversary – and share their secrets to a long, happy marriage

How can you make sure your marriage is long and happy? This Aussie couple have just racked up 70 years – and have one, beautiful ritual.

Stuart and Anne Kerr have been together through thick and thin for 70 years. Picture: Kelly Barnes

It’s 4.30pm and “the bar” is open.

Stuart Kerr and wife Anne are sat at their Salisbury East living room table, their only vice, a glass of wine in hand as they share the story of their day with one another – a daily ritual in their 70 years of marriage.

“We don’t have to be together all day, but it’s sharing what we have done,” Mrs Kerr said.

They spend their days as individuals, Mrs Kerr, 88, carving or turning wood to make furniture and trinkets while Mr Kerr, 93, spends time in the gardens alongside seven-year-old pup Rusty.

Stuart and Anne during the early days of their relationship, after they met in 1952. Picture: Supplied

Stuart and Anne celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. Picture: Supplied

Stuart and Anne on their wedding day in 1954. Picture: Supplied

But sharing their day over a drink is not the only pillar that builds up their almost 70 years of marriage.

“I’ve got a theory,” Mrs Kerr said. “The secret to a happy marriage is that you’ve got to be really good friends.”

“Sexual attraction wears out after a while – and other things – but if you’re really good friends, it takes you right through, and also you need a really good sense of humour.”

As the years have passed and their life changed, watching their three children, Sue, 68, Garry, 67, and the late Steve, 68, grow and start their own families, and growing into great grandparents, the Kerrs have found new ways to bring happiness to one another.

Stuart and Anne's wedding party, containing siblings and in-laws alike, in 1954. Picture Supplied

Stuart and Anne, alongside their three children Steve, 64, Gary, 67, and Sue, 68. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve done a lot of laughing in our time, a few tears, but a lot of laughing,” Mrs Kerr said.

After Mr Kerr’s retirement from working with defence technology relating to autopilot machinery, and Mrs Kerr from education, the couple travelled Australia in a Toyota Hiace – fitted out like a camper van.

“We went away every single year for many years after Stuart retired, and the kids called us geriatric gypsies and they had shirt printed for us and we wore them happily,” Mrs Kerr said.

“I remember early in our marriage like humdrum, saying to Stuart that I want an adventure – and we had so many adventures … we have so many stories we haven’t even told our kids.”

Mr Kerr said those years of travel brought them both “real happiness” together.

Stuart and Anne Kerr have been together through thick and thin for 70 years. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Anne captured shooting during a competitive rifle shooting, a hobby she shared with her husband for many years. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Kerr moved to the Victorian town of Warragul when she was 14, and two years later met Mr Kerr on a night out at the dances – while he was on a date with another girl – and have built their lifelong partnership together ever since.

The couple began dating while Mrs Kerr was 16 and Mr Kerr 20, and were married just weeks after Mrs Kerr’s 19th birthday – her mother wouldn’t allow it any earlier.

“I just wanted to be married, and I just wanted to be with him,” Mrs Kerr said.

Their early years were spent in the military town of Woomera, as Mr Kerr served in the Royal Airforce, before moving to Para Hills following his enlistment as he searched for more work around the pilotless aircraft technology he had come to enjoy.

The Kerrs will reach their platinum wedding anniversary on October 2, but before then will celebrate alongside their family and close friends at their daughter Sue’s home.

Originally published as Stuart and Anne Kerr celebrate 70th wedding anniversary – and share their secrets to a long, happy marriage