Parkes couple, Eric and Colleen Miles have achieved a major milestone - this year celebrating 60 years of happy wedded life.
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Eric and Colleen have a large family who all (except two) live within close proximity - and they celebrated the occasion with all of them.
Eric grew up on PineView, the family farm between Gunningbland and Forbes.
His father, Fred had the last working horse teams in the district, continuing to use the Clydesdales long after farmers had tractors!
Eric went to Parkes High School and has been here all his life.
Colleen (nee Smith) grew up on the family’s dairy and lucerne farm on the river near Forbes.
Her father had polio and Colleen, at the age of 14, had the job of milking the 35 cows for several years.
She went to school in Forbes.
The couple met through their sisters, who were friends, and married shortly after on June 4, 1955.
Their wedding ceremony was relatively quiet in order for them to save to purchase some furniture and others items for their home.
Eric and Colleen have three children - Debbie (Roylance, of Forbes), Alan and Trevor of Parkes, as well as six grandchildren and four great grandchildren (all girls).
All except two granddaughters - one in Canberra and the other in Newcastle - live close by and as a result, happy family get-togethers are held at every opportunity.
Eric and Colleen are still active.
Colleen loves her garden and the two spend a couple of months each year travelling Australia.
As for the secret to a happy and long life together, Eric believes it is important for both to have their own pastimes, hobbies and friends as well as common interests.
A sense of humour is also important, respect for each other and a ‘fair bit of patience.’