Riverina Gums residents Dorothy and Bill Prest are a loving couple whose dedication to each other spans more than 60 years.
Village Manager, Joanne Passlow, said that Dorothy and Bill are wonderful residents and still very active in the local community.
“The pair were delighted to celebrate their diamond anniversary at an intimate dinner with family and friends in October at The Cellar in Wagga Wagga,” Joanne said.
Dorothy grew up on a country farm in rural NSW and moved to the nearby town of Bowral to find work as a nanny at the age of 19.
“I loved the farm but in those days you had to take opportunities as they came along,” Dorothy said.
Dorothy’s new employer was a family who owned the Bowral Brickworks, a prominent local business where her future husband had been offered a job.
“They were a lovely family and I enjoyed looking after their children, but I had no idea that my boss had turned into a matchmaker!” Dorothy said.
The pair often met at social events and it wasn’t long before they both noticed a spark of romance and started dating.
“It was fate – we were meant to be!” Dorothy said.
The pair married in Goulburn on 13 October in 1956 and eventually settled in Wagga Wagga where they raised three daughters and a son.
They relocated to Riverina Gums for its convenient location and friendly community and have been living there happily for four years.
Now with the time to pursue their hobbies, Bill enjoys gardening and volunteering in the local community while Dorothy is a multi-media artist who spends time hand-painting elegant porcelain plates.
Bill said that Riverina has the three ‘C’s – comfort, contentment and companionship.
“It’s a happy environment, the meals are delicious and we have lovely neighbours.
“Living here is easy!” Bill said.
