PAM McKenzie and Tony Fittock, a Wangaratta boy, met at the Leviathan, a well-known menswear store on the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets, where they both worked. Pam would read the cash registers every morning with an eye out for Tony who was only interested in studying the racing guide.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There was some debate about Tony’s nationality because of his dark hair and predilection for wearing red jumpers.
“He first took me home from a social club night in Flinders Lane,” Pam says.
The McKenzie family would invite Tony home for meals and as Pam’s life revolved around church activities he happily went along with her.
Later that year he got an anouncing position with 3MA Mildura.
“I went up every couple of months on an overnight train,” Pam says. “Tony had a Hillman Imp which regularly broke down at Harcourt en route to Melbourne and again at Sea Lake on his way back.”
Luckily, the car’s unreliability didn’t prevent Tony eventually proposing and an engagement party was held at Pam’s parents’ home on her birthday, February 27, 1968, the same night as the Lionel Rose versus Fighting Harada boxing match in Tokyo. “The boys all listened to the fight and we girls chatted,” Pam recalls.
They married at St Dunstan’s Anglican Church in Middle Camberwell on February 15, 1969 and honeymooned in Burleigh Heads.
The couple returned to Melbourne where their two sons, Scott and Wayne were born. Tony was appointed advertising and marketing manager at the Bendigo Addie, and it was here that daughter Jodie was born.
“We came in 1980 for two years and nearly 34 years later we’re still here,” Pam (a super hot cross bun-maker) says grinning. They also have three grandchildren, Evelyn, Jocelyn and Marilyn.
Their 45-year marriage has taught them to compromise and to respect each other’s opinions.
Pam says Tony has taken good care of her, especially when she was ill. “He would have made a very good nurse. He worries for other people.”
Tony makes similar observations about his better half. “Pam’s been a kind and considerate person who always puts others before herself,” he says.
Visiting New Zealand and seeing more of Australia are on their wish list.