The lassie and the lad

After meeting for the second time in 1962, they were engaged just seven days later. What started out as a whirlwind romance for Vivienne and Barrie Shaw, has now become their 60th year of marriage. e pair met brie y through a friend in 1961 in Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay.

A year later, while Vivienne was working in Palmerston North as a law o ce secretary, Barrie came to Massey University to do a short course in farm machinery management. Vivienne says: “He knocked on the door of the Girl’s Hostel in which I was living and asked for me, and we were engaged a week later”.

Time is precious

A week seems pretty quick to propose but Barrie says time is precious. “No good wasting time.” Vivienne laughs in the background as Barrie spins his usual yarn down the phone line. “I used to belong to the Young Farmer’s Club and I used to win prizes for stock judging, so when I met Vivienne – there was just no question about it – that was the lassie.”

What a charmer!

Seven months later on February 2, 1963, a 21-year-old Vivienne and 24-year-old Barrie were married in Vivienne’s parents’ garden in Haumoana. “When I think about it, we didn’t know each other that well but we liked each other a lot and he had a lot going for him,” says Vivienne. After living in Ongaonga for 10 years, they bought their rst home which they converted from a dairy factory. During their Ongaonga days, Barrie worked as a farmer, ploughman and in the bush. Meanwhile, Vivienne worked as a cook for a shearing gang and built up her name as a seamstress. “I had quite a reputation for making the most beautiful wedding gowns and ball gowns that you could wear inside out and not know the di erence.”

“She was very capable, extremely active, and very knowledgeable for her age. She was a pleasure to be with,” says Barrie. “ e fact that he still calls me his girlfriend is really quite sweet. He doesn’t see me as an old lady,” says Vivienne. Sharing a sense of an adventure Barrie and Vivienne have travelled intrepidly – backpacking across 75 countries in the past 20 years. “We can’t pick a favourite.”

Now living in Welcome Bay, Vivienne and Barrie enjoyed celebrating their 60th Diamond anniversary earlier this month at e Strand with their family. Together they have four children, 14 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. On the celebration high, Vivienne gave the inside scoop into making a marriage last. “We’re good friends…I couldn’t imagine being married to anyone else and I don’t think he could either.”

Georgia Minkhorst

17 Epping Way

Available now $655,000. This 2 bedroom 135m2 Villa has a generous bathroom and 2 toilets. It is north facing and has a view of the Mount, internal access garage, and is sunny, warm and spacious.

18 Epping Way is now under refurbishment.

Available now for $670,000. This north facing 2 bedroom home has an open kitchen, dining and lounge.