The Bonny Hills couple will celebrate their 70^th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, August 28. 

Their shared passion of dancing has been a key to why they believe their marriage has lasted so long. 

They said their love wasn’t at first sight, rather it grew over time. 

“He was a very good dancing partner, I wasn’t going to let go of him,” Shirley said. 

While the couple can no longer dance together, they still attend the Senior Citizens Club in Port Macquarie to watch others enjoy the hobby, catch up with friends and listen to the music. 

“It’s a great social outlet for us now,” Shirley said. 

When they first moved to Bonny Hills from Sydney 19 years ago they built an extension, so a dance studio could be created. 

“We have had students come here over the years to teach them various forms of dance,” Harry said. 

The couple have three children Kathleen, Alan and Jo Anne. 

Shirley and Harry said for a marriage to last it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. 

“We tell each other everything,” Shirley said. 

“We still have differences but we say ‘that’s what you think and that’s what I think’ and leave it at that,” she said. 

They said a lot of couples don’t take marriage seriously enough and often rush into it. 

“You have to like each other as well as love each other,” Shirley said. 

Shirley and Harry hope they never have to move away from their home in Bonny Hills. 

“It’s beautiful and always has been beautiful,” Shirley said. 

“We’ve got a magnificent view here and all our neighbours are lovely.”

Shirley said it is fitting their wedding anniversary is on the 28^th as the number has followed her throughout life. 

Shirley was born on July 28 in 1928. When she was born both her parents were 28-years-old, house numbers have all related to the number 28 and even to her car registration. 

Shirley and Harry were wedding photographers. Harry was a photographer for 21 years and Shirley for 19.