Donald and Barbara Hewitt look back on 60 years of married bliss in Armidale

The St Vincent de Paul stalwart has been supported by his wife for the last six decades, and during that time the couple have had six children.

Both say their family, which now includes six inlaws and six grandchildren, is the highlight of their relationship.

Donald and Barbara both grew up in the Armidale region and have spent their lives contributing to the community.

They married when they were both 21-years-old.

"In 1957 I was emerging from twelve years of schooling in a strict male-only environment, and I longed for female association," Donald said.

"A local youth group, called Young Christian Workers, was active in organising dances, picnics and social activities.

"It was here that I met the lovely, shy but determined Barbara Anne Carey from Martin Street."

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Donald had successfully gained employment after leaving school in the Physics Department at the University of New England and had purchased a 1937 Vauxhall car.

"We had our first outing on 15th August 1957," said Barbara. "We went to the movies, but we don't remember what we saw."

From that first date, there was a gentle and natural progression towards making a loving commitment to each other, Donald said.

"We were both born in 1939 in Armidale, both Catholic, had common interests, enjoyed one another's company, were accepted by one another's families, and the seed was planted," he said.

"We enjoyed a beautiful relationship, and then in 1960, we became engaged."

With friends' help, Donald built a small house on land given to the couple by Barbara's father.

"We were married in St. Mary, and Joseph's Cathedral by Barbara's elder brother, Fr.John Carey at 11:00 am on February 11th 1961."

During the next 14 years, many things happened as the couple's family grew, and Donald's career took off.

"We were blessed with six lovely children, two girls, two boys and two girls," he said.

"Barbara was the most exemplary and devoted mother one could wish for, and we balanced our budget to allow Barbara to be a 'stay at home mum'.

Meanwhile, Donald's studies at the university of new England (UNE), TAFE and the Melbourne Inst. of Technology continued.

"In 1975, I was successful in being appointed senior technical Officer in the new School of Natural Resources. In 1980 the university invited us to move to the newly purchased UNE property Newholme, where I was the first manager of the 6,000-acre research station," he said.

"We lived at Newholme (Mt. Duval) in the eight-bedroom homestead until 1990."

After 39 years working at UNE Donald was made redundant in 1996 and he and Barbara took the opportunity to travel although he says his Vincentian work continued wherever possible.

"After caravanning to much of Australia we settled into our life of charity work in earnest," he said.

"Our children had been educated to the level they desired and have all been fully employed for all of their working lives.

"We faced small challenges, finance, parenting issues, but they have been minor."

Donald says he puts this down to both parents being unified (after discussion) in decision making, and setting an example to their children by working towards a constant, harmonious relationship.

"Barbara and I have had sixty years of unbelievable happiness because we have been able to give and take, because we have lived in Armidale without stress, because we have balanced our income with our expenditure, but most of all because of our unwavering love of one another and especially a big bucketful of luck," he said.

The couple said a piece of advice given to them by the priest who prepared them for marriage was "never let bedtime fall on an argument" and this advice has worked for them - although they say it did mean the occasional very late night.

The contented couple celebrated their anniversary together, and then the family joined them a day later for more celebrations - and yes Barbara was given a diamond pendant by Donald.

We are sharing stories about how couples met. Do you have a romantic story to share?

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