Local couple Don and Lorraine Guyer are living proof that love knows no bounds as they prepare to celebrate a ludicrous milestone: 70 years of marriage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The couple first met more than 75 years ago in Warialda through mutual friends, and bonded over a shared love of milkshakes.
Lorraine fondly recalls a story from a time shortly after they first met, during a party at her aunt's house where their love story first took root.
"We were playing games when I was 14, he was 16, and someone was chasing me and I ran headfirst into a wall. Don came round, put his arm on me, and kissed me on the forehead. First kiss I ever had from a boy," she said.
![Don and Lorraine Guyer are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, September 12. Picture by Gareth Gardner Don and Lorraine Guyer are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, September 12. Picture by Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/200003594/bf1e323e-4a71-4360-96f3-9fbb25a2dc3f.jpg/r0_0_6662_4382_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Lorraine's family lived in Sydney for much of her early life, but she moved out into the country three years later, giving her and Don's love the chance it needed to blossom.
"I came back when I was 17, the attraction was still there, and in 1953 we were married," she said.
The couple have been near-inseparable ever since, witnessing the joys of life unfold alongside their 12 children, a family of nine daughters and three sons.
READ ALSO:
The large family moved to Tamworth in 1966 to provide their children with a higher quality of education than what was available in Warialda at the time.
Don said he's very proud of their children, who have managed to hold down good jobs, become homeowners, and started their own families.
"We have 26 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, plus one great-great-grandchild," Don said.
![After seven decades, the couple still do everything together, from shopping trips to weekly bingo. Picture by Gareth Gardner After seven decades, the couple still do everything together, from shopping trips to weekly bingo. Picture by Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/200003594/ca42da1d-625f-4acb-a39e-2a735c99a082.jpg/r0_0_6188_4259_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Don's own career path started when he was 14 as an apprentice shoemaker, working for a company that specialised in making boots for people with disabilities.
He then transitioned into the engineering industry, and became a motor mechanic for the local council when the family moved down to Tamworth, before going on to work on the Dungowan Dam and pursuing a career in water treatment.
![Don and his family living in Warialda in the 1930s. Picture supplied by Don and Lorraine Guyer Don and his family living in Warialda in the 1930s. Picture supplied by Don and Lorraine Guyer](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/200003594/75206b9c-f905-4e06-88f0-2c7410c91da6.jpg/r0_0_3002_2295_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Don says he wouldn't be half the man he is without Lorraine's constant support and good humour.
"She had beautiful red hair back then, and I've always said I married her because she had red hair and money," Don said.
"Red hair was right, but the other wasn't," Lorraine said without missing a beat.
Religion also plays an important role in the couple's lives, and Lorraine said one of their more memorable wedding anniversaries was their 40th when the pair received a papal blessing.
![Don and Lorraine's nine daughters. Picture supplied by Don and Lorraine Guyer Don and Lorraine's nine daughters. Picture supplied by Don and Lorraine Guyer](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/200003594/ce365e60-a5df-4ad5-8086-969946ca2d11.jpg/r0_0_2478_1761_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
When asked what the secret to a long and happy marriage is, Lorraine said it comes naturally after spending so much time together, and that she knows the two will always be there for one another.
"I went into hospital to have an operation, and I was sure that Don was there holding my hand. We're part of each other now," Lorraine said.
Don answered the question by recalling a conversation he'd had just a few days prior when someone told him the 'classic' joke that a prison sentence wouldn't last 70 years.
"I said if it's a jail sentence I wouldn't mind committing the same crime and doing it all over again," Don said.
![Don and Lorraine with a picture of themselves in their 40s. Picture by Gareth Gardner Don and Lorraine with a picture of themselves in their 40s. Picture by Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/200003594/7bd13fd3-f86d-4d3a-bdd4-9836c7132372.jpg/r0_0_6152_4329_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The couple now resides in an assisted living apartment at Tamworth Gardens Retirement Estate, which Don says is "heaven on Earth".
"The staff is brilliant, you can have breakfast in your pyjamas, and there's happy hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday," Don said with a laugh.
Don and Lorraine cherish their moments together, taking advantage of every opportunity to live and enjoy themselves freely, whether it's a shopping trip, a social outing, or simply catching up with friends over a coffee.
![Lorraine Guyer's extended family. With 12 kids of her own, Lorraine continues a tradition of large families. Picture supplied by Don and Lorraine Guyer Lorraine Guyer's extended family. With 12 kids of her own, Lorraine continues a tradition of large families. Picture supplied by Don and Lorraine Guyer](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/200003594/1a3fa874-7547-47d1-99ab-f7eb86d26cf3.jpg/r0_0_3175_2346_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Now 89 and 91 years old, the two still look at each other with the same level of care and affection as they did when they were teens.
As they celebrate their momentous milestone seven decades in the making, Don and Lorraine have received letters of congratulations from friends, family, and an array of prominent figures including Tamworth's mayor, multiple members of parliament, the NSW premier, the governor general, the Prime Minister, and even a congratulatory message from the King and Queen Consort.
The couple plans to spend their special day enjoying each other's company and eagerly await celebrating with their large family when school holidays come around.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News