Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay retirement village residents tie the knot on Valentine’s Day

A Townsville retirement village was the backdrop for a special day as two of their residents tied the knot on the most romantic day of the year. Read their heartwarming love story.

Neville Grunske and Fely Dawes have tied the knot at their Townsville retirement village on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day 2025.

A Townsville retirement village was treated to a romantic and special day as two of their residents tied the knot on Valentine’s Day.

Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay residents Neville Grunske and Fely Dawes, both in their 70s, have lived in the village for six years — and it was there Mr Grunske got down on one knee.

“He proposed to me here at the dining table in our unit – he got the ring out and knelt down which was really nice!” Ms Dawes said.

“I think our wedding is the first at this village and I think it’s really exciting to celebrate with everyone together,” Mr Grunske added.

“This is our family now and we feel as though we are really close to a lot of people here so it just made sense to invite everyone.”

The couple’s paths first crossed through mutual friends when they both travelled to a small farming community in Wandoan, Queensland for a birthday party.

“I have a farming friend who invited me down to his birthday party and Fely and her late husband were farmers in that same district, so she was there too,” Mr Grunske said.

“After we met there, we communicated for a while and she was living in Brisbane before she came up and joined me here in Townsville.”

Shortly after, the couple began their search for a new place to call home before finding their slice of paradise along Townsville’s coastline six years ago at Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay retirement village.

“Fely’s son and granddaughter came over from Canada as well as friends from South Australia and my son, his wife and my grandson were here to celebrate with us!” Mr Grunske said.

Surrounded by the people they now call their family, the newlyweds were joined by village residents to witness their declaration of love.

“We decided early on tying the knot and thought let’s do it in the village! We wanted a prominent day that stands out so that’s why we picked Valentine’s Day,” Mr Grunske said.

“The celebrant is the daughter of one of our friends and residents here. We had previously helped her with practice weddings for her qualifications so thought it would be perfect.

“It’s quite rewarding to get to this age in our 70s and find someone to share your life with – it’s a nice feeling!”

Originally published as Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay retirement village residents tie the knot on Valentine’s Day