It was a Saturday night and Betty says though she loved the foxtrot, she was quite happy dancing what are now known as the old-time favourites.

“We were shocking dancers,” Betty says with a laugh, but she liked the look of him, so they started to go out together.

Barry was working in his father’s Elphinstone Hotel where black bow tie and a white shirt were mandatory work attire,  and Betty had a job at the Castlemaine Woollen Mill.

“We were only 19 and 21 years old when we were married, and it was far too young. The wedding day – October 30, 1964 – was a bit too close to Melbourne Cup, because nothing can be allowed to disrupt the races.

“Diamond Lil knew Barry’s dad and she did us proud by letting us stay at the Shamrock Hotel for the wedding night. She was a lovely lady.”

“We’ve had a good life with five children – Tracy, Barry jnr., Sharon, Jack and Karen. We have 11 of the loveliest grandchildren you could ever wish to meet.

“I’m not one for socialising too much, apart from my council duties, as I prefer my garden. Going to a nursery is always like going to a big lolly shop for me. I find those plants irresistible.

“When I do drag myself away, I’m a keen traveller; doesn’t matter where it is I’m up for it. I’m also a member of Probus.

“Barry is so busy we don’t see each other for two or three days at a time." 

He is a horse breeder too, apart from all his duties on the council, so he doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon.

“The kids have organised a cruise for sometime in the future, so we’ll be island hopping and enjoying a break to celebrate our 50 years together."