AMAZING MILESTONE: Gina and Alf Ashbrook
celebrate 50 years of marriage with local
Councillor Paul Tully (left) and Mayor Paul Pisasale (right)
PLENTY has changed over the years for Ipswich couple Alf and Gina Ashbrook.
The Bellbird Park house they built in 1970 was one of only a few in the area at the time – now it is a busy suburban street.
Their two children, son Ian and daughter Angela, have grown up and have children of their own.
While neighbours, technology and society have rapidly evolved over the years, one thing for the Ashbrook's has remained constant – their long-standing marriage.
On March 31 the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and told The Queensland Times that the secret of their long relationship came down to hard work and commitment.
"Just like anything in life really – if you want something to succeed you just have to put in the effort to make it work," Gina Ashbrook, 68, said.
"People now rush into marriage without thinking about the vow they're making, and I think even if they have the slightest doubt they should hold off until they're sure marriage is right for them.
"We took the vow seriously and worked hard on maintaining our marriage, and I think that's why we've lasted so long."
The couple were working at a grocery store in their home town of Coventry, England, when they first met, and married shortly afterwards on March 31, 1960.
With their two children in tow, the couple took a 10 pound boat trip to Australia in 1970 for the promise of greater opportunities and warmer weather.
Mr Ashbrook, 77, said it was hard to comprehend they had spent half a century together.
"It sounds like such a long time, and it is, but to us it feels like it has gone very quickly," he said.
The couple said they were extremely happy to receive a commemorative certificate and flowers from the Ipswich City Council to mark their milestone.
They celebrated with lunch at the Goodna RSL.
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