Treasuring 50 golden years

By Melissa Meehan
IT started over popcorn and a movie … and 50 years later Dennis and Margaret Roberts’ love for one another is as strong as ever.
“We met 55 years ago,” Dennis reminisces.
“I was the usher at my dad’s cinemas at the Noble Park Public Hall when I noticed three gorgeous looking sorts come in.
“I showed them the seats and then arranged to buy the seat next to Margaret. She looked pretty good to me, that’s where it all started.”
The two married five years after they met, on 30 January 1960 at the Methodist Church in Dandenong in front of 40 guests … but not without a fight.
Margaret said the two hid their relationship from her mother early in the piece and relied on her brother to keep the secret.
“My mother was very protective of us after losing my dad and sister within 10 months of each other,” Margaret said.
“So it was a bit of a struggle, but in the end she let it happen.
“It was a different era back then.”
On Saturday the couple will celebrate their golden anniversary, half a century, together with friends and family at Sojourn in Berwick.
The Roberts’ tips for a successful marriage
• Have plenty of arguments, but be sure to make up
• Always get on well
• Give and take
• Have to work together