VALENTINE’S Day is a time of reflection for long-time love-birds Jimmy and Patti Murray.
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What's the secret to a happy marriage? Don't answer back.
- Jimmy Murray
The Port Fairy couple, married in 1963, will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary later this year.
The pair, who are regularly seen at the Port Fairy Bowls Club, will spend the international day of love together, on the green.
“And I might have to buy her some chocolates,” Mr Murray said.
The Murrays, married in October, said their spring wedding was one that was celebrated with family and friends.
“It was a lovely day,” Mrs Murray said. “We had a lovely time.”
Mrs Murray said her bridesmaids wore aqua-coloured dresses and accompanied her to the 11am ceremony at St Patrick’s, followed by a reception at Port Fairy’s RSL club.
“Isabelle Headley (nee Darmody) and Olive Madden (nee Lane) were my bridesmaids,” she said. “And Jimmy had his brothers Peter and Donald.
“When the wedding was over we drove to Victor Harbour for a week.”
Mrs Murray said friends Pat Matthey and Penola Kelly had left a fish under the car seat that soon became a honeymoon headache.
“After the wedding reception we got out to the water tower and the car stunk,” Mrs Murray said. “And by the time we got to Victor Harbour there were maggots in it and oh, it stunk.”
Mr Murray said the 1949 Vauxall had more problems than a smell, but it served them for years to come.
“It kept slipping out of its gears,” he said. “But it was an alright car.”
Now parents to four children and growing numbers of grandchildren, the Murrays said their union was based on mutual respect.
“It’s a bit of give and take,” Mr Murray said. “It’s not always one way. What’s the secret to a happy marriage? Don’t answer back.”
Mrs Murray said the pair had always had an interest in one another.
“He’d chased me for years,” Mrs Murray said. “That was after he’d already gone round with all my girlfriends mind you.”
Soon the former Port Fairy premiership player and his wife of 55 years will head off on their first international holiday with one another.
The pair will travel to Europe later this year with friends Brian and Coral Macarthy and Bob and Ann Mallett.