A Lifetime of Love and Devotion

On the 16th February 2023, timeless lovers Jenny and Charles will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with friends and family. Travelling from all corners of the country, the pair’s loved ones will be there to honour their lives’ passion and dedication to family, the community, education, and the environment. Both together and as individuals, the couple have inspiring stories to tell.

As a young woman, Jenny dabbled in the field of childcare, working as a Teacher’s Aide, a staff member at early childhood centres, then at Lady Gowrie’s office. However, it was during her time as an administrative worker for the NSW Railways in Sydney that she met Charles, a graduated Industrial Chemist. The pair grew fond of each other at this time and eventually relocated to Tasmania whilst Charles pursued a career at Burnie Paper Mill. It was here that the couple birthed their two children, Cathy and Michael. Charles then worked for decades at the Mackay Sugar Research Institute and as lecturer at the Mackay Sugar School (TAFE). He travelled nationally and internationally for his sugar industry work and was an international corrosion expert. Charles worked into his seventies as a Senior Industrial and Food Hygiene Workplace Health and Safety Inspector. He received many awards during his career. Jenny, on the other hand, expresses that her most prized award was the Order of Australia Association Queensland Senior Volunteer Award in 2017.

With nothing short of sheer willpower, Jenny and Charles spent the better half of their adulthood raising their beloved children, three nephews, three granddaughters, and their grandson. With parenthood came their passion for volunteering; in their young family years, Jenny and Charles spent a lot of time volunteering with Dog Obedience, Dog Showing (Labradors mainly), Cubs, Scouts, Amateur Radio (supporting SES), the Betty Meskell School of Dance and the Mackay Community Theatre, and the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre.

But Jenny and Charles were far from short-sighted when it came to experiencing the world around them. They have had many overseas trips including to the UK and Canada to visit family and to Europe, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, China, and Islands in the Pacific. They enjoy short holidays in South-East Queensland, particularly mountains and beaches. Most of their days are spent with family, friends and neighbours and enjoying their volunteering and recreational pursuits.

Now retired, the determined couple continue their selfpronounced duty to fulfil various volunteering roles, including working with Ferny Grove Primary School’s Ready Reader Program and as Bird Survey Conductors for the Kedron Brook Catchment Management. They are also well-known local environmentalists contributing bird and habitat information when opportunity arises to better guide development outcomes, as well as many more roles.

Jenny and Charles are two loving souls with hearts set on keeping the spirit of their neighbourhood alive. Their selfless nature and kindness toward those in need and those simply grateful for an extra helping hand are displayed in every aspect of their long lives. Echo News wishes them both a very happy 60th wedding anniversary, and we thank them for such admirable contributions to our community.