Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

A 70 Year Marriage Milestone

Sarina couple Les and Del Smith started something big when they married 70 years ago.

Their marriage has produced an astonishing 43 direct descendants in a five-generation family, including four children, 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, so their platinum anniversary this weekend on April 24 will be a big occasion.

It could have been more, but Del called a halt after the birth of her four children – Lynette Nicholas of Toowoomba, Debbie Fay of Sarina, Robyn Metcalf of Bundaberg and Jon Smith of Brisbane – each born at separate locations as the couple moved north on transfers with the railways towards their ultimate destination of Sarina.

“Every time I moved I got pregnant,” Del said.

“We moved four times, every time I moved I got pregnant. We got to Sarina and I said I’m not moving anymore.”

Lynette, the eldest, was born at Maryborough. She has seven children and 10 grandchildren.

Debbie was born at Mackay and has two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; Robyn was born at St Lawrence and has four boys and four grandchildren; and Jon was born at Sarina and has two children and three grandchildren.

Les and Del’s adored great-great grandchildren are Piper, 6, and Finn, 3, the children of Storm and Dan Sweeney of Mackay, and the ‘great-greats’ of Debbie.

Les and Del were married by the Rev Allan Kidd at the Methodist Manse, Pialba, on April 24, 1952. Del’s friend Irene Searle was her bridesmaid and a man with the famous name of John Kingsford Smith (Les’s brother) stood as best man.

The family cannot find any photos of the couple from the wedding, as Del says they didn’t have enough money for a photographer.

The couple are both from the Hervey Bay region and first met when Del was 14, at a dance at the Pialba Memorial Hall.

Del was born at Childers, where she lived with her mother Jean at Apple Tree Creek. Her first job was at a Childers chemist before the family moved to Hervey Bay where she worked at a pharmacy until the couple’s marriage.

Les was born at his family’s home at George St, Pialba, where he lived with his mother Martha until his marriage.

He worked for the railways for more than 50 years, starting on February 1, 1949, with job titles changing from load porter to station master to area coordinator as he was transferred north.

An avid golfer from the age of 25, he cut cane to supplement his railways pay to buy golf clubs. His best handicap was 3, he was a Sarina club president and won six club championships, his first in 1975.

Les was also a keen cricketer, footballer and tennis player.

Del is known for her community service to a range of groups.

One of her great achievements was raising money with friends Marca and Glad for the Sarina Aged Care Residence before it was built. They raised $10,000 which the government matched dollar for dollar.

She also helped Meals on Wheels, worked for the show society and school committees, assisted with   bingo, volunteered for hospital fetes to raise money for Sarina Hospital, and school sports days at Sarina primary and secondary schools.

She was a long-time tuck shop convenor at Sarina State High School which her children attended.

Her favourite relaxations are playing cards and mah jong  - and no doubt keeping track of her growing family.

“We’ve lived in Sarina for 63 years and we’re nearly locals,” Del said.

By Charlie Payne

Del and Les Smith look back on 70 years of marriage with love. Photo: Charlie Payne

Del Smith when she was 16. This photo was retouched with paint, a custom at the time.

Les Smith in his army gear at the age of 18, when he was serving National Service. Photos: Contributed

In other news