Trevor and Althea Taylor’s marriage is platinum

Trevor, a post clerk, met Althea, a telephonist, at work at the post office in Border Town — renamed Bordertown in 1979.

The couple wed at what was the Border Town Methodist Church on April 30, 1955, Althea dressed in a tiered white gown, draped in lace.

“The dressmaker who made it said she used to hang it over the top of the door in her bedroom,” Althea said.

“She said, ‘that is so beautiful’ even though she made it.

“It was what I wanted with the white lace.”

Althea’s hockey team gave the newlyweds a special send-off during the recessional.

“They had the hockey sticks all together at the end for us to walk through,” she said.

“I had played a bit of hockey ... but I wasn’t a big sportsperson.”

In 1956, they welcomed their first son, Brenton, followed by a daughter, Susan, in 1958 and a second son, Neville, in 1960.

Trevor’s job as a postmaster took the family across Australia, including to Terowie and Angustown in South Australia, and Inglewood, Cohuna and Maryborough in Victoria.

“Maryborough is where we retired,” Trevor said.

“We left Maryborough in 2010 and came up here because our son and daughter-in-law are here.

“We lived in Woodlands Circuit until February, then we moved in here (Bupa Echuca).”

Over their 70 years together, they have travelled extensively, including caravanning around Australia, as well as overseas trips to the United States, Thailand, New Zealand, Singapore and Europe.

Trevor feels that sharing similar interests, such as travelling, has seen their relationship go the distance.

The Taylors have embraced their move into Bupa, and have enjoyed being in Echuca for the past 15 years.

Trevor feels particularly connected to the Murray.

“I started my life at Tailem Bend, born on the banks of the Murray River,” he said.

“And I’m finishing my life on the banks of the Murray River at Echuca.

“I used to do a lot of fishing when I was a child.”

Althea sees that by living such a long life, you experience every high and low.

They have welcomed nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, while farewelling their daughter, Susan, at 29 years old.

The pair visit her grave in Maryborough whenever they have the opportunity.

“We’re fortunate to live long enough to see these years,” Althea said.

“When we can, we go back to visit our daughter’s grave.

“You just see life at the various stages. That is life.”

Being involved in the post industry, they have seen big changes in their lifetimes.

The use of emails, convenience of mobile phones and decline of post is bittersweet for Trevor.

“Everybody uses emails and things nowadays,” he said.

“It’s quicker, you’ve got it in a few seconds.

“I suppose it’s progress, but it’s a bit disappointing that you haven’t got the postman coming along whistling and racing out to see what mail there is.”

The couple did, however, receive some visits from the postman in celebration of their milestone.

“We got cards from friends of ours over in England,” Trevor said.

“Charles and Camilla!”

Along with the King, the Taylors were also congratulated by the Australian Govenor-General, Victorian Parliament, Federal Government and local members of parliament.

They will celebrate with a lunch today at Bupa, as well as a morning tea with their extended family on Saturday at The Wren Courtyard.