Mick and Lois Miller of Vaucluse Place, were married in St George’s Anglican Church by a visiting priest on October 3, 1949, after being together for about three years.

They are still very happy together and have some wonderful advice for others contemplating a long life together.

From Mick (86): “If we ever have a discussion, it’s over and done with.  

“There are no recriminations, it’s not bought up again.  

“It makes it a lot easier with no arguments.

‘We get on pretty well. 

“She’s certainly looked after me.    

“We enjoy life and are very happy.

‘The family too is important.  

“They are close by and all get on well together.”

And from Lois (85):

‘Communication is very important, sharing life and doing things together.

“And having a sense of humour.’

Mick and Lois (nee Hetherington, from Parkesborough) met at a dance at the West Hall (later known as the Orange Hall, now Big W).

‘Mick was a good dance,’ Lois explains.

They started going out together and 18 months later, were engaged. 

Another 18 months later they tied the knot.

Mick’s brother Roy was Bestman and Lois’ brother, Owen groomsman.

Lois was attended by Mary Goodman (Payne) and Olive Greenwood, with flowergirls Nola Miller and Janice Hetherington.

They lived in Callaghan Street for a couple of years before buying a home at 13 Forbes Road where they lived up until about seven years ago when they moved to their present home.

In those younger days, Mick was a fitter and turner, working on the Silver City Comet on the rail run to Broken Hill, while Lois worked at the glove factory (later Small Arm factory and Telecom in Court Street) and later, with Charlie Taylor’s shoe store.

Their first child, Colin came along more than four years later and daughter, Elaine after another six years.

They now have four grandkids and four great grandkids.

Mick built a little corner store on land near his home, and later he and brother Roy opened a service station on the site.

Mick sold cars – Humber and Hillman – but then gave it away and joined Miller and Cheney.

“I came back to the service station (known as Middleton Service Centre) and this time sold Renaults and Peugeots,” he said.

He was pretty good at it, too, winning two trips to Paris (for Peugeot sales) and later when they took on Hyundai, trips to Korea and Alaska.

Lois helped in the business until it closed in 1995.

Lois kept busy with the family but also joined her daughter Elaine in a driving school.

His contribution to the community has also been significant.

Mick – affectionately known as the Mayor of Middleton – also served on Parkes Municipal Council in two separate terms from 1971-76 and 1983-87.

He was also president of the Parkes Progress Association for 15 years during which time he was successful in having the area south of Parkes re-named Middleton.

“It was always known as South Parkes but had a bit of stigma attached to it,” he explained.

“When they cleared the Cheney Park area (to make way for the sporting fields), we pushed for the name to be changed.”

Mick has also been in Parkes Lions for 55 years, holding executive positions and is a Life Member.

Mick retired from business, but still kept busy doing Roy Morgan research for 10 years, taking him all over the state conducting surveys on many different subjects.

When he finally pulled the pin a couple of years ago, he decided to just enjoy life and play a bit more golf.

He has been a keen golfer for 40 years and still plays a couple of times a week.

To keep her looking young and healthy, Lois enjoys her grandkids, cooking and gardening.

“We are just enjoying life,” Mick said.

Mick and Lois bought land in Middleton many years ago, and some 16 years ago, established the Vaucluse Place subdivision where they built.

They have sold about half the 64 blocks of land.