They couple met when they were members of a church youth group. Originally from Quambatook, Gwen had moved to Kerang to work at the National Bank.

After their wedding they drove down the Great Ocean Road to Lorne for their honeymoon, staying at the Pacific Hotel.

Keith grew up in Kerang where his grandfather had selected land in 1879 and raised beef cattle.  His grandson, however, had other ideas, becoming an insurance broker instead, after first managing a furniture store in Kerang for 16 years. He still runs a school bus between Kerang and Myall and is also a civil celebrant.

Gwen was kept busy over the years with the gradual arrival of their four children, David, Jenny, Sue and Tim, but still found time to help Keith in the office once they were all at school.

Keith played football with the Kerang first eighteens.  “Gwen always went to the football but I don’t know that she watched it,” he says. “I said if I copped a good one I’d get out.”

He later coached and played with Murrabit, but after “copping a good one” (breaking a leg) he got out of the game for awhile.

Gwen had gentler pursuits, taking up painting as a creative outlet after a few lessons here and there, and is a great fan of the singer John Williamson, who also hails from Quambatook.

The couple recently moved from Kerang to Bendigo, where three of their children reside, and are settling in to their lovely new abode.

Both Keith and Gwen share strong Christian principles which they say have been central to their partnership.

They’ve travelled to south-east Asia, Indonesia and Fiji, enjoy having coffee with friends and as members of the Kerang Probus club they hope to continue that connection in Bendigo. Their family now extends to 16 grandchildren, the youngest being one-year-old twins, and two great-grandchildren.

An afternoon tea for family and friends will be held on Sunday at the Junortoun Baptist hall.