The Gunnedah couple met at the Curlewis bakery, where they both worked.

A local boy, Evan was born in Manilla, however, completed his schooling at Mullaley where his father was a baker.

When his parents, Annie and Arnold Morgan purchased the Curlewis bakery, little did he know, it would lead him to his life-long love.

After growing up in Sydney, and living in Armidale for five years, Beryl’s mother Violet Cooke moved the family to Curlewis after her father Oliver was declared missing in World War II.

It was there 19-year-old Beryl, met 22-year-old Evan.

“She worked for me,” Evan joked.

“I did not, I worked for your father,” Beryl said.

The couple were married at the Methodist Church in Curlewis on November 10, 1956. They moved to Gunnedah five years later and welcomed three children, Peter, Susan and Kathy.

The Morgans said the key to a successful, long-lasting marriage is a “little give and take”.

“We’ve enjoyed a stable marriage, based on give and take,” Beryl said.

“I give and she takes,” Evan joked.

“You’ve got to keep working at it, but to have a mutual respect and to help each other is very important.”

Before retirement, Beryl was a canteen manager at Gunnedah South Public School for 23 years, and Evan worked at the Gunnedah and Curlewis Co-Ops and Namoi Valley Bricks.

Family and friends gathered for Evan and Beryl Morgan’s 60th wedding anniversary celebrations at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club in December. Beryl also celebrated her 80th birthday in January.

“We have been so blessed to have the support of our family and friends,” Beryl said.

The couple share a love for travel and enjoy spending time in the garden and with their five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.