FORMER long-term Gunnedah residents John and Elva Grills have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, which is sure to bring a smile to the many people they have befriended along the way. Bringing up 60 years is a pretty incredible feat that not many people manage, but it's not difficult to see why after speaking to the couple. The laughter is still there, as is the clear-cut memory of their wedding day and the gratefulness towards the family they have been able to raise together. When asked what the secret was to maintaining a happy marriage for so long, John said he couldn't pinpoint an exact reason, but that supporting each other has been important. "I'm not sure, but we've help one another whenever we've had to," he said. The pair met in the late 1950s, not long after Elva moved to Gunnedah to work as a nurse at the hospital; meanwhile John was working as a truck driver in town, having made the shift down from Barraba. Read also: Things moved fast - such was the intensity of their feelings towards one another - with the couple marrying within 18 months. After that, they welcomed the birth of their first child Tony. He was one of four children, with Julie being born in Tamworth and Janelle and Jeanene being brought into the world after the Grills had moved back to Gunnedah - they are now based back in the country music capital. But it was in the koala capital where they had their special day, however, with Elva recalling they had a small ceremony with close family and friends. Returning to the theme of the two always supporting each other, John said he was extremely thankful his wife had his back when he gave up truck driving and took up a career in country music. "After I come off of the interstate transport I bought a recording studio in Tamworth and I've been in the recording studio ever since and now I'm a professional singer-songwriter," he stated. While they didn't do anything extraordinary for their anniversary celebration, opting for a dinner at a local restaurant with family, the tale of how they made it that far is incredible, and something many people would love to emulate.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Elva and John Grills celebrated 60 years of marriage on Saturday.
FORMER long-term Gunnedah residents John and Elva Grills have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, which is sure to bring a smile to the many people they have befriended along the way.
Bringing up 60 years is a pretty incredible feat that not many people manage, but it's not difficult to see why after speaking to the couple.
The laughter is still there, as is the clear-cut memory of their wedding day and the gratefulness towards the family they have been able to raise together.
When asked what the secret was to maintaining a happy marriage for so long, John said he couldn't pinpoint an exact reason, but that supporting each other has been important.
"I'm not sure, but we've help one another whenever we've had to," he said.
The pair met in the late 1950s, not long after Elva moved to Gunnedah to work as a nurse at the hospital; meanwhile John was working as a truck driver in town, having made the shift down from Barraba.
Things moved fast - such was the intensity of their feelings towards one another - with the couple marrying within 18 months.
After that, they welcomed the birth of their first child Tony. He was one of four children, with Julie being born in Tamworth and Janelle and Jeanene being brought into the world after the Grills had moved back to Gunnedah - they are now based back in the country music capital.
But it was in the koala capital where they had their special day, however, with Elva recalling they had a small ceremony with close family and friends.
Returning to the theme of the two always supporting each other, John said he was extremely thankful his wife had his back when he gave up truck driving and took up a career in country music.
"After I come off of the interstate transport I bought a recording studio in Tamworth and I've been in the recording studio ever since and now I'm a professional singer-songwriter," he stated.
While they didn't do anything extraordinary for their anniversary celebration, opting for a dinner at a local restaurant with family, the tale of how they made it that far is incredible, and something many people would love to emulate.
