Bob and Lorna Wade have shared their lives for 66 years, so why not share their 90th birthdays?
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The North Batemans Bay couple both turned 90 in June and daughter Julie Mackay, of Sunshine Bay, said she could not be prouder.
Ms Mackay said the couple had given much to the Eurobodalla community since moving to the shire in 1981.
“Both have been involved with much volunteering,” she said.
“Dad volunteered with Eurotransport for 30 years, in adult literacy programs, he was a board member of Mara-natha in its early establishment, helped with Meals on Wheels and with the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Disability Access Committee.
“Mum helped at Batemans Bay Library when it was run by volunteers, and with Meals on Wheels.
“Dad was awarded the Senior Citizen of the Year award in 2005 for his years of service to the community.
“Both are long-term active members of the Batemans Bay Baptist Church.”
Ms Mackay said her parents were still active and creative.
“Mum was a keen tennis player up to when she was 80,” she said.
“She is also very
creative, being part of the China Painters for many years, and making and decorating beautiful cakes for special occasions.
“Although just in the last year or so their voluntary work has reduced, they are still fully independent, still driving and doing all their own housework and gardening, including mowing which Dad refuses to give up.
“They are still living life to the full, starting each day off with their regular morning coffee at the Coffee Club, chatting to their friends who pop in.”
Ms Mackay said both her parents were born in Melbourne and grew up in Williamstown, not far from each other.
“Their families knew each other and Mum’s older brother Charles married Dad’s older sister Isobel.
“Dad served in the Royal Australian Air Force in World War Two and was part of the famous Pathfinder Squadron, based in England, flying Mosquito aircraft over Germany.
“Dad was a navigator.
“Mum attended secretarial college and worked full-time doing secretarial work.
“They married in October 1948 and have been married 66 years.”
The couple has two daughters, two sons, eight grandkids and one great-grandson.”
“I am very proud of my parents and they have been very loving and supportive parents to myself and my brothers and sister,” Ms Mackay said.
Most of the extended family lives in Canberra, so a birthday celebration was held at the Southern Cross Yacht Club in late June.