KEVIN and Barbara Lockett share a bond that can only be forged through many years of marriage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In fact, the Bendigo couple this week achieved a rare milestone by celebrating their 60th anniversary.
The passage of time since they walked down the aisle of St Jude’s Church in 1956 has done nothing to dull their affection for one another.
“He’s my best friend,” Barbara, 81, said.
Kevin, 89, the son of Jack Lockett – who lived to the extraordinary aged of 111 – grew up in the Mallee district.
He said it was love at first sight when he met Barbara at a dance at a View Street venue.
“Even today Barbara can move on the dance floor with the best of them,” he said with a laugh.
Barbara, who hailed from California Gully, worked at Bolton’s Pharmacy and enjoyed attending all the social dances.
The couple had four children: daughters Debra, Vicki and Jenny, and a son, Gregory, who passed away before his first birthday.
They also have three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and another due early next year.
Kevin built the family home, which they still live in today, as well as a caravan that served them well on many family trips around Australia.
The caravan was by towed by Kevin’s second great love after Barbara – his 1948 Holden ute, which he still treasures to this day.
Over the years, both Kevin and Barbara were active members in the Bendigo community.
They are both charter members of the Strathdale Probus Club and have been associated with the Y Service Club for more than 50 years.
Barbara enjoyed a lengthy stint in the theatre as a member of the former YWCA players, while Kevin still enjoys bowling with the Bendigo East Bowling Club.
Sadly, Barbara has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, meaning Kevin has been her full time carer for the past eight years.
The family says his devotion to her care is “a testament to the deep love they have for each other”.
Asked for the secret to their long and happy union, Kevin said simply: “Compatibility and a lot of give and take.”