An invite to a church youth meeting proved life-changing for a newcomer to the Southern Highlands in May 1960.
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Charles Dunk had not long taken up a position as the Clerk of Petty Sessions at Bowral Courthouse when he was invited by a friend to attend a Methodist Youth Fellowship gathering in Bowral.
While Charles had grown up in the Camden area he had worked in the court system in Broken Hill for several year and relocated Bowral when he was about 26 to be closer to his home town.
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He jumped at the invite by friend Ken Adams to attend the fellowship and potentially make friends in his new home town.
Not for a minute did he expect to meet his future wife and life-long best friend - but that is what happened.
Mary Whale, was 22 at the time and was a leader in the youth fellowship group along with Ken Adams. Needless to say she was one of the first people Ken introduced to newcomer Charles.
However, it was by no means love at first sight for Charles and Mary. In fact Mary was a little perturbed by her first encounter with the man that would one day become her husband.
You see in his role at the courthouse he managed marriage documents. When Ken introduced the pair, Charles immediately recognised Mary's name from a marriage certificate and he pointed this out.
Mary was quick to respond "I'm not married". She was concerned how this newcomer to the group believed he knew anything at all about her. It was soon realised that Charles recognised her name by a marriage certificate that had recently crossed his desk. Her name was listed as a bridal attendant.
The shaky start was soon overcome and it wasn't long before Charles and Mary were spending more time together.
"He would come around to my place as a friend and we would listen to records," Mary said. "We were also both a part of the Bowral Choral Society."
It was while the choral society was rehearsing for a musical that the relationship between the two friends blossomed and they began to court.
Things moved quickly from that point with Charles proposing to Mary on New Year's Eve of 1960/61. She accepted.
"The announcement was not made straight away - we first had to get an engagement ring," Charles said. "We had to travel by train to Sydney to do that."
The news of the betrothed was made official with an announcement in the Sydney Morning Herald on February 11, 1961. Charles had invited family and friends to his brother's home in Tahmoor that evening to officially celebrate the special occasion.
Exactly nine months later on November 11, 1961, Mary and Charles became husband and wife, exchanging vows at the Methodist Church in Bowral (now Bowral Uniting Church) where they first met. They had two attendants each and the reception was held at the Bowral Memorial Hall.
They have since made a lifetime of memories in their home town of Bowral, living in the same house for the past 51 years. It is there that they raised their four children Craig, Katherine, Alan and Jennifer.
Both Mary and Charles agree they are best friends, adding that many common interests including their church, music and performing arts had cemented their bond.
"We are fortunate that we both love this district. We met locally and we have stayed here," Charles said.
"We make each other laugh," Mary added.
But it is family and friends, including nine grandchildren and two step grandchildren, that are the number one priority and joy for both.
"We have enjoyed watching them at their sports and other activities, as well as going on wonderful holidays with them," both agree.
"We may have slowed down a little but we are fortunate to still be in our own home together, enjoying family and life."
Mary and Charles celebrated the 60th anniversary of their official engagement on February 11 by going out to lunch with the man who introduced them, Ken Adams and his wife.
They are both looking forward to celebrating the diamond wedding anniversary with family on November 11.
In recognition of Valentine's Day we are sharing stories about how couples met. Do you have a romantic story to share? Please let us know through our website portal at www.southernhighlandnews.com.au, go to the community tab, then click on 'send us your news'.
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