Couple celebrates a 70-year marriage

Ettalong Beach couple Albert and Rose Hamilton have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this month.

The couple celebrated their anniversary with 50 guests at the Ettalong Beach Memorial Club on Wednesday, June 6.

"They all greeted us when we arrived and brought us lovely flowers," said Mrs Hamilton.

"We had champagne and oysters.

"It was very surprising and beautiful," said Mrs Hamilton.

Albert, 89, and Rose, 88, have been members of Ettalong Beach Memorial Club since 1969.

Albert and Rose first met in England aged eight on October 2, 1931, while playing with neighbourhood children in the street.

"We lived close to each other, playing cricket together after dinner," said Mrs Hamilton.

"We were little terrors back then.

"He wrote me a letter and asked to 'be my sweatheart'.

"Back then.he didn't know how to spell sweetheart," Mrs Hamilton said.

Eleven years later, on June 6, 1942, Albert and Rose married.

"He told me the day before we got married, 'I promise you that I won't drink, gamble or lay a hand on you.'"

He told her she would never be without because he would always work hard for her.

Four months into their marriage, Albert enlisted in the British Navy, serving in World War II, the Korean War and Russia.

The couple decided to migrate to Australia in search of work, arriving in February 1959 as part of the 10 Pound Pom scheme.

Albert immediately found work as a builder and Rose as a tailoress.

"Coming to Australia was the best thing we ever did.

"Look what we've got," said Mrs Hamilton.

The couple have lived in their Ettalong home for the past 30 years and have one daughter, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Their anniversary celebration was organised by Catholic Community Carers Gosford.

"I really want to thank them, they have been so wonderful to us," said Mrs Hamilton.

Mrs Hamilton said that the key to their successful marriage was to "love life and don't argue".

"You've got to really give, not take."

Tanya McGovern, 20 Jun 2012

Interviewee: Rose Hamilton