The 21-year-old private was visiting a friend in 1943, when a chance encounter in Adelaide kick started a life of love, laughter and dancing.

“I’d just come back from Darwin during the bombing, and I met up with a mate to go to a dance,” Mr Fenwick said. 

“We met two girls, and I paired up with Muriel. I said to my mate: ‘I like Muriel. You can have the other one’.

“I’d say it was love at first sight.”

The pair have been inseparable ever since. 

Months after meeting, the East Maitland couple – 96 and 97 –  married in a registry office in Adelaide on November 13, 1943. 

They celebrated their 75^th wedding anniversary on Tuesday. 

With a grin, Mrs Fenwick said the secret to a long and happy marriage was “putting up with each other”. 

“It’s also about forgiveness. We have our ups and downs but we are doing alright,” she said. 

“He’s very handsome – especially when he had hair.”

Mr Fenwick, with his hand wrapped around his wife’s, chimed in saying teamwork was important for a successful marriage.

“We work together, and put up with each other. We went through some bad times but we hung in there,” he said.

After marrying, the couple lived in South Australia for nearly 20 years – where Mr Fenwick worked at the Baroota reservoir. 

In 1944, the couple had their first son Terry, who was followed by siblings Lorraine, Trevor and Brian. 

Mr Fenwick said the couple loved to stay active over the years, and regularly enjoyed netball, bowls, tennis and dancing. 

“We’ve always danced together. Lots and lots of dancing,” he remembered.

The family of six returned to the Hunter Valley in 1962, and built their dream home in East Maitland.

In fact, the couple lived in the family home until earlier this year when they moved into Benhome aged care facility. 

Now, they enjoy visits from their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“We’ve had a good life,” Mrs Fenwick said. 

“And we’ve got a lot of nice grand kids,” Mr Fenwick added. The couple spent the day surrounded by family.