JOHN and Val Rodgers were married on January 16 1965, and this year they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
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In the early 1960s Val used to play the piano in a dance band, and one memorable night at a dance at the Bendigo Golf Club, Val looked up from the ivories and noticed John.
He had come in with a group of Horsham footballers on their end of season trip.
“Mmmm, he’s nice,” Val thought, and then got an appreciative eyeful of his check sports coat.
Fast forward two years and Val is with a group of friends at a trendy dinner dance at the Brian Boru.
Sitting opposite her is this quiet chap who all of a sudden says to her, “You don’t happen to play the piano, do you?”
Val was about to agree, yes she did, when she took a good look at him.
“There’s that bloody sports coat again!”
John took Val home that night, and for many more after that.
The young couple were married one year later, in St Paul’s Cathedral with Canon Anthony officiating.
“Susan Sharp was my bridesmaid.
“We had 120 guests and dad was really worried that he wouldn’t have enough money to cover the cost of the drinks bill.
“It was a stinking hot day and there were bushfires everywhere that January.”
John stuck to his football and teaching career, with posts at Eppalock, Warnambool and Longlea in those early years.
Val continued with her musical talents, happy to play at the Sunday family singalongs at her grandma’s house or a booking at the poshest dinner dance venue.
John and Val had two children – Stephen is a talented musician in the band Balls ‘n’ All, and Leanne has very creative talents.