Mark and Coral Tully are the epitome of the classic love story, celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this year in Belconnen with a mini wedding cake and singing their favourite love songs from the 1950s.
The couple met in the early 1940s after Mark moved into a boarding house in NSW run by Coral’s mother and was eating dinner when Coral walked in the room.
He recalls thinking to himself ‘there’s a likely looking girl’, asking her out and taking her to the pictures for their first date.
They married in 1951 and made their home on a remote farming property out in the south west Riverina that Mark’s father drew in the WWII Soldier Settlement following his return from service.
A hut previously used as a shearer’s quarters on a sheep station was the couple’s home for their first 18 months on the property, showing Mark and Coral are no stranger to hardship.
The years turning the land into a productive farm had been challenging and difficult as they worked the paddocks and set up a home, sharing with each other their fears and frustrations as well as the good times, encouragement, and comfort.
After living on the farm for 66 years, and raising their three children – Susan, Andrew, and Ian – they say they would go through the struggles all over again just to be with each other through this lifetime.
Their daughter, Susan Watkins, lives in Kaleen and thinks her parent’s platinum anniversary is very special.
Before COVID-19 restrictions, Susan would usually visit her parents every day, take them on outings to see family and enjoy having picnic by the lake or in a park together.
“I admire Mum and Dad a lot. People have always said that whenever you see Coral you know Mark isn’t far away and whenever you see Mark you know Coral isn’t far behind,” Susan said.
“They’re always together and they do everything as a team.”
The loving couple are now both 92 years old and are proud to say they have nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
For the past four years, they have both been living happily at the IRT Kangara Waters Aged Care Centre.
Although their family unfortunately couldn’t be with them to celebrate due to lockdown restrictions, their friends at the IRT made the day as perfect as they could for them, with staff even making a booklet about the couple’s own love story.
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