Their wedding on December 13, 1958, was the start of a long and happy relationship with their lives now focused around their three children and their families.

Well-known in the local community, the Greens came to Gunnedah in 1963 when Rod took up a position as council engineer. Rod grew up in Morpeth, while Pat was a Maitland girl teaching at Morpeth Primary School when the young civil engineer cadet came into her life.

Their married life began in Maitland, where Rod was employed by the Maitland City Council. Their first child Kathie was born at West Wyalong when Rod accepted  a position with the Bland Shire Council. Their baby was only a week old when Rod was posted to Bega, where they stayed until their big move to Gunnedah.

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They quickly became immersed in community life and grew to love their adopted town, where their sons David and Craig were born. In 1974 Pat returned to teaching on a casual basis and ended ended up full-time, retiring from Gunnedah South School in 1990. As council engineer, Rod’s position saw him oversee numerous local development projects, including the Gallen and McAndrew Estates, the redevelopment of Kitchener Park and many other local projects. He retired in 1996.

Life in Gunnedah was good for the Greens as they watched their children grow and became involved in many organisations, especially the swimming club. Rod worked his way up through the technical official’s exams and qualified as a referee, serving as the district referee and on the area committee. Their three children were successful under the guidance of coach Eric Arnold, with Kathie selected with Brett Arnold  for the train-on squad for the Montreal Olympics. Rod Green is a life member of the club and still takes a keen interest in club activities.

The couple also followed rugby league as their son Craig made his way up the ladder later touring England with the NSW Police team and representing Northern Rivers in the Country Cup.

Away from work, the Greens enjoyed tennis and golf, making lifelong friends. Unfortunately Pat is now unable to play golf which she really misses, however,  Rod, still plays and is patron of the Gunnedah club.

Rod also joined community service organisations Apex and then Rotary, where he was awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow for service to the community, while Pat served the ideals of  Rotary in the Inner Wheel Club of Gunnedah. Pat is active in the CWA and Garden Club and now enjoys the Gunnedah Evening VIEW Club. Both Pat and Rod love the friendship and interest provided by membership in the Probus Club. Togetherness has always been a big part of their relationship, and ballroom dancing and tennis were always part of their leisure time.

The Greens have enjoyed many overseas trips and travel around Australia, with their trip to Africa with fellow Rotarians a stand-out in their memories.

Looking back over the years Rod and Pat feel the warm glow of family love. Their three children have long since flown the nest and made their own way in life. Kathie and her husband John live in Armidale, where she is head of Earl Page College at UNE. They have three children -  Stephanie, Tom, Patrick and Maddie.

David followed his mother into teaching. He and his wife Tanya live in Tweed Heads where he is now education consultant at Griffith University. They have two children, Millie and Owen.

Craig joined the NSW Police Force and later headed north to the Sunshine State, where he is the PCYC manager at Ashmore. Craig and his wife Kellie have four children - Georgia, Jack, Avie and Lily.

With 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchilden and another two on the way, life is good for Pat and Rod Green who continue to enjoy life in Gunnedah. Even though they have been retired for many years, the couple could not imagine living anywhere else.

To celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary, Pat and Rod enjoyed a happy gathering with family and close friends in their garden.