By CASEY NEILL
HUMOUR has played a big part in Springvale couple Sylvia and Jimmy Nolan celebrating 65 years of marriage.
They wed on 15 October 1949 at St Peter’s Church in Wellington, New Zealand. Jimmy was 19 and Sylvia was 21.
“We met at a dance in Wellington in 1948,” Sylvia said.
“He was very cheeky.
“He asked me if I’d like to go for a cup of coffee after the dance, and he reckons he’s still paying for it.
“Most expensive cup of coffee he’s ever had!”
Sylvia, 87, said her favourite thing about Jimmy, 85, was his sense of humour.
“That’s what attracted me right from day one,” she said.
Together they had six children – three boys and three girls – 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
“They’re spotted all over the place and all different nationalities,” Sylvia said.
“My granddaughter is getting married next month – she’s part Samoan and her fiance is from Columbia.
“Another one got married last September – she’s part Croatian and he’s from Lebanon.”
About 50 family members and friends gathered at the Hampton RSL on 12 October to celebrate Sylvia and Jimmy’s milestone.
“One came from New Zealand and another came from interstate,” Sylvia said.
“One son was missing – he had already booked a cruise.”
Springvale Senior Citizens Club, where Sylvia’s been a member for 15 years, threw a party on 14 October.
Daughter Deborah Barbarich attended both celebrations.
She said her dad was born in Pakistan, grew up in England and moved to New Zealand.
“His father was in the British Army, that’s why he was born over there,” she said.
“My dad was an only child. He ran away to sea when he was 14 and didn’t tell his parents where he was in the world.
“After he had six kids his parents started looking for him. They put notices all over the world.
“They tracked him down to New Zealand, sold their house in England and moved to New Zealand.
“There was a big reunion.”
Her mum was born in Wellington to a Chinese father and Scottish mother.
Deborah said her eldest brother moved to Australia in 1972.
“The rest of us just followed,” she said.
“Mum and dad came about 25 years ago.”
“They settled in Springvale.”
Jimmy suffered a stroke three years ago and now lives in an aged care facility a few minutes from their Springvale South home.
“I go down most afternoons to visit, and on the weekends my daughter brings him home if she’s not working,” Sylvia said.
“It was hard for someone who’s always been so active.
“He used to do all the cooking. I’ve had to knuckle down and do it myself!”
