THE common question everyone asks couples who have been married for years is what is the secret to a happy union.
Many couples safely navigate to 20 and 30 year anniversaries, some get to 50 years, but few can boast a marriage lasting 60 years.
With that in mind the opportunity to ask diamond wedding celebration couple Ray and Erica Yarrow (above) their secret needed to be seized on.
The Brassall couple listed a number of things, but friendship, respect for each other and not to dwell on disagreements were key points they both agreed on.
Erica said having similar hobbies was also important although she did say Ray’s passion for cars was not on the top of her bucket list.
“I’ve never driven one of his pride and joys, in fact I’ve never driven a car in my life and that’s probably a good thing,” she said.
Ray is a life member of the HSV club of Queensland and spends much of his time making sure his 98 Holden VT Club Sport is looking brand new.
He also has a 1996 Holden HR parked in the garage.
The one big hobby they share is travelling around Australia and they still take off on their annual three month tours visiting anywhere and everywhere.
“We would always go caravaning with our three children every Christmas break when they were growing up and we have continued that hobby for many years, although we don’t have a big caravan anymore,” Erica said.
“We are currently out to discover more of the painted silos popping up in the country and that may be the next trip.”
Erica and Ray started out as teenage sweet hearts after meeting as members of the Rosewood Congregational Church youth group.
Married in Rosewood in late December in 1962 (above) they have continued their involvement with the church and while they have changed suburbs they have never left Ipswich. Their three children, Bradley, Narelle and Russell, have also stayed local and they joined them with their four grandchildren for three big cheers on their wedding anniversary.
