Bathurst couple Fred and Norma Rowland recently celebrated their diamond anniversary surrounded by their family. 

The couple wed at the old All Saints Cathedral in 1956 after just 10 months of courtship. They were both 21 years old at the time.

Mr Rowland said that, 60 years later, his wedding day remains the most significant moment of his life.

“[It’s] probably the most important, not even second to the birth of our children,” he said.

Over the course of their marriage, Mr and Mrs Rowland had three children, David, Karen and Lisa.

The family shares a close bond.

Mr Rowland said it takes a lot of effort to keep a marriage strong for 60 years, but the secret to success is honesty and love for each other.

“When you first fall in love it is sort of passion and you overlook each other’s faults, but as you are together longer you develop a great deal of respect for one another,” he said.

When asked what his wife’s best quality is, Mr Rowland said it would have to be her sincerity. 

“She doesn’t know how to play fun and games in speech; she is always very straight with people,” he said.

The couple remains very happy in their marriage and Mr Rowland said the goal now is to reach their 70^th wedding anniversary.

“I love her just as much now as I ever have,” he said.