VAL and Claire Jones are celebrating sixty years of wedded bliss this week.
The Collie couple first met in 1952 whilst they were both working at Dorsett Motors in Collie, Val was working in the garage at the time and Claire had just started as a cashier.
It wasn’t until bonfire night that the romance officially began when Val offered to give Claire a lift home.
The couple courted for six months before marrying, when Val was 24 and Claire was 19, and settling in their Raymond Street home where they still live today.
Val and Claire said the key to the long marriage is having a foundation of love.
“The key is love and helping one and other,” Mr Jones said.
Val came to Collie in 1948, and Claire in 1952, and have been avid volunteers in the local community ever since.
The couple said they have always loved living in Collie and the community provides a support network that you wouldn’t find living in the city.
“You make friends here that you keep for life, we love the support and friendliness of the community,” said Mrs Jones.
Val was involved with the Rotary Club for 42 years and has been made an honorary Rotarian, as well driving the bus for the Red Cross and Silver Chain.
“We try and help everyone out, no matter who it is,” Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones was a butcher for 25 years, and a taxi driver for eight years.
Mrs Jones owned the grocery store that was formerly on Raymond Street, before becoming the treasurer and secretary for the Senior Citizens centre, as well as being the treasurer for the Collie Day care Centre for 20 years before taking on the role as vice president.
The Joneses will celebrate the occasion this Saturday surrounded by 80 of their closest family and friends including the best man from their wedding day.