When asked what he recalled about the day, Keith replied, “It was hot.” 

Shirley’s sisters, Evelyn and Alison, were bridesmaids and Keith’s brother Orm and cousin Malcolm were his attendants. They honeymooned at the Majestic Hotel in St Kilda.

 “There was a strike on,” Keith says. “There were no trams and the trains were overcrowded. The conductor called us up and put us in the luggage van. We were in our good clothes and he obviously recognised that we were a newly married couple.” 

Keith recalls when they first met. “The local tennis club wanted to introduce a table tennis competition, so they held a meeting. I saw Shirl over in the corner and I said ‘I’ll be in her team.’ We went to high school together but didn’t know each other.” 

June 29 marks the 70th anniversary of their first date. Keith wanted his licence before taking Shirley out in his father’s car. He turned 18 in May, and got his licence early, in readiness. However, it rained on the night and Keith’s father wouldn’t let him drive, so he had to ride his bike. All the way to Wesley Hill. 

A five-year courtship followed. “We used to go to the pictures and then to the dance.”

Keith, who was awarded an OAM in 2012 for his services to music as a choirmaster and organist, worked at Thompsons Engineering Works for 49 years before retiring. 

Their family includes three sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren and a first great-grandchild due any day.  

Over the years they’ve enjoyed playing golf and tennis. Keith believes marriage involves a lot of give and take. “I think we were almost spoken for as there was no adjustment needed,” he says. “An early test was when I started playing the organ the year we were married. Shirley had to come and listen to me practise. That must have been very boring. She did her knitting.”

Keith adds, “We have each other and our family and that’s wonderful. They supply us with our needs, doing messages, bringing meals, and it’s amazing.”