![Norma and John Rowland recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and received congratulatory letters from the Governor General, Anthony Albanese and King Charles and queen consort Camilla. Picture supplied Norma and John Rowland recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and received congratulatory letters from the Governor General, Anthony Albanese and King Charles and queen consort Camilla. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/123048163/c7fdd741-8093-4650-baac-91a0dd946203_rotated_270.jpg/r0_0_480_640_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
When Norma Harpley first met John Rowland at a dance in Exeter Hall in 1952, she thought he was "pretty handsome".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Since then, they have made a lifetime of memories together - raising and loving their children, spending time with their four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and often talking about the good old days.
They have also passed time watching sports, especially tennis, which they often played together.
The couple got married on February 6 in 1954, and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at the Moss Vale Hotel with their family and loved ones, with some travelling interstate for the occasion.
John said it felt "good" knowing he has been with the love of his life all these years settled in Exeter.
"We're still here," he said.
"It was a nice little celebration," Norma said.
They tied the knot on a hot day at St Aiden's Anglican Church, had their reception at the School of Arts in Exeter, and honeymooned in Forster.
"It was a long time ago, but we still remember it," Norma said.
They both said they were both excited and became at ease when they saw one another.
"I was very nervous, but she looked beautiful," John said.
![the couple got married in Exeter on February 6, 1954. Picture supplied the couple got married in Exeter on February 6, 1954. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/123048163/8e3f39ed-5788-45e5-8bd1-3ea1acc1b40f.jpg/r0_0_480_640_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Along with the celebrations, the couple received congratulatory letters from and King Charles and queen consort Camilla, the Governor General and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Norma, who is still an Exeter Red Cross member, said making up quickly after an argument was key to a long marriage, and talking a lot with one's spouse.
"We're still in love and being good," she said.
John has loved his wife's cooking and said she was a "joyous" person to be with.