Part-time Forster residents, Gordon and Judy Learmonth earlier this week (May 23) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
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The couple, who has lived in the Sydney suburb of Birrong for the past 58 years, met while working as teenagers at Alexandria Spinning Mills where Judy was a comptometrist and Gordon an assistant accountant.
Following a four year courtship they were married at the Kingsgrove Methodist Church.
Gordon was a keen golfer, a junior champion at Strathfield and later lowered his handicap to three with a social club, while Judy was an enthusiastic tennis player and together with Gordon played socially and competitively in the Berala Carramar District for many enjoyable years.
They have three adult daughters, Cheryl, Debra and Sharyn, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
In addition to her parental duties Judy continued her involvement in commerce and accounts as a book-keeping machinist, pay mistress, telephonist and typist.
Gordon became a CPA in 1967 and a chartered secretary in 1972, and although retired in 2001 has remained honoury treasurer for Bankstown District Uniting Church since 1991, plus some auditing involvements which he enjoys.
Judy and Gordon are keen singers, singing Handels Messiah in Sydney Town Hall for more than 50 years.
Judy enjoyed many years in stage productions dancing and singing, and they are both life members with Bankstown City Choir.
Judy has been the organist at Sefton Uniting Church for many years and she also co-ordinates the Greenacre Seniors Entertainers Group.
Gordon and Judy also have developed a love of cruising in the last few years, and plan to celebrate their anniversary on an eight-day pacific islands cruise.
On recent cruises, both were finalists in Princess Cruises "Voice of the Ocean" Competition.
The couple bought their first Forster home 30 years ago, later upgrading the unit to a house to accommodate their expanding family.
While staying in Forster they regularly attend the Forster Uniting Church.
"They love Forster, as do our whole family," daughter Debra said.
"One of their grandchildren proposed to his now wife on the Forster Boardwalk.
"Gordon and Judy are still very much in love, fit and well considering their ages."
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