The secret to a successful marriage is “BST” according to Beresfield’s Norman King.
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“Booze, sex and tucker,” Mr King laughed.
And he would know - Mr King and his wife Alma have been married 50 years this Saturday.
The couple met at a dance at the Palais Royale in Newcastle, where the Hunter Street KFC now stands.
Mr King said he knew straight away that he wanted to be with Mrs King.
“I said, ‘I’m going to marry you in six months time’, and I did,” he said.
The pair wed on June 11, 1966 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, East Maitland.
Their reception was held afterwards at the East Maitland Mechanics’ Institute in Banks Street.
Coincidentally, the couple’s wedding was held on a Saturday, and their 50th anniversary also falls on a Saturday.
About six years after they were married, the couple bought a house for $12,000 in Beresfield, which they still live in today.
The home is now brimming with pictures of their three children and six grandchildren, so much so that the couple said they are running out of space to put them.
Mr King worked as a painter on the railway line, while Mrs King worked for Lindsay and Comerford stock and station agents.
Now retired, the couple spend their time gardening, fishing, shopping and enjoying the company of their family.
The Kings have been on several trips around Australia, and said that they share many memorable moments together.
“They’re all memorable when you have a family,” Mr King said.
Mrs King said their longevity as a couple comes down to being faithful while Mr King said their togetherness and the eternal love they share is what he enjoys about their relationship.
And while they said their anniversary is just another day, they are excited to reach the rare milestone.
“There’s only a handful of people who’ve done it,” Mr King said.
Mr and Mrs King will celebrate their golden anniversary with a dinner at East Maitland Bowling Club surrounded by family and friends.