Gladstone locals Allan and Patricia Hudson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary yesterday.

Allan Hudson grew up on a property with his brother and three sisters at Millbank, where his father ran a large dairy farm.

Patricia Borger was born in Kempsey and grew up at Sherwood living with her two sisters and brother, also on a dairy farm.

The couple met “a long time ago,” Mr Hudson said this week.

The year was 1946 and the then 16-year-old Mr Hudson asked the good-looking 15-year-old Ms Borger for a dance.

“We met at a dance in the Willawarrin Hall,” Mrs Hudson said.

But they would have to wait for the next bush dance to see each other because of a lack of transport. It was six months later when they met again, at another bush dance.

“In those days the bush dances were a real big family thing and a great way to catch up with everyone,” Mr Hudson said.

“But growing up if you wanted to go somewhere your parents were always there, especially at the dances.”

Two years after they first met at the Willawarrin dance Allan proposed to Patricia.

On October 23, 1948 they officially announced their love for each other.

“We had about 25 guests at the wedding and went back to the Kempsey Showground to eat sandwiches and drink tea,” Mrs Hudson said.

“The weddings in those days are nothing like they are today, they spend ridiculous amounts of money now.”

The couple have enjoyed the country life, playing tennis and bowls together and meeting lifelong friends.

“The Macleay is the best place in the world, we have met some excellent people here over the years,” Mr Hudson said.

However their most enjoyment has come from the births of their four children, three daughters and one son.

“After living 40 years at Millbank we knew everyone in the upper Macleay, and now its 40 years at Gladstone,” Mr Hudson said.

The pair can be seen most days at their second home, the Smithtown Bowling Club, where they both are life members.

Or you may see them at a bush dance!