Jim and Linda Collier are celebrating their lifetime of love, as they mark 60 years of marriage.
The couple, who live in Legana, first met in England when they were teenagers and Linda caught Jim's eye.
"I was out in the park one day and I saw a lovely young lady walking," Mr Collier said. "I found out she worked at the chemist, which was where photographs were developed back in those days.
"It so happens I found myself with lots of photographs that needing developing after that."
The pair went on their first date to the cinema and there began their long-lasting love story. Married in Bedfordshire, England on November 25, 1961, the couple said they remember the horrible weather on their special day.
"It was wet and miserable, but other than that it was a very pleasant and happy day for us," Mr Collier said.
Following their wedding, the couple had two children, and Mr Collier served in the Royal Air Force in Great Britain for 10 years. The Colliers then emigrated to Australia, settling in Perth, Western Australia, and then Port Hedland.
"My mum in England said to us that we should check out Tasmania so we did," Mr Collier said.
"We had a look at this block of land in Legana and put a deposit down, saved up and I eventually got transferred to work at Launceston Airport, so we came down and moved in along the Tamar."
Jim and Linda's daughter Anthea, 59, lives in Singapore and their son Douglas, 57, in far north Queensland.
The couple's biggest achievement and fondest memory is their sailing adventure, when they spent a decade circumnavigating the world, with the story of their ocean odyssey featuring in The Examiner when they left in 1992 and again when they returned home in 2002.
"When we left England to move to Australia Jim said to me that one day he would sail back to England on his own boat and together we achieved that," Mrs Collier said. "He got his wish and it took a lot of work and was hard at times but we did it."
When asked the secret to their lasting marriage, Mrs Collier said compromise was important, as well as having common interests and an enduring love and respect for each other.
"We had some arguments on the boat trip and Jim said that he would want to climb the mast to get away from me at times, but we have a fundamental love for each other," Mrs Collier said.
"We are very fortunate that we have similar passions, particularly regarding the environment."
The couple had planned to travel interstate to celebrate their anniversary, but their plans changed due to COVID restrictions.
"We bought a TV instead of travelling, so we will be enjoying that," Mr Collier said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
Follow us on Google News: The Examiner
Nikita McGuire
Born and raised in Launceston, Nikita is passionate about the stories that matter to locals. When she is not at work you can find Nikita adventuring around Tasmania or spending time with family and friends. If you have story tips or events in the Arts and Events sector, please contact Nikita at nikita.mcguire@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 031 581
Born and raised in Launceston, Nikita is passionate about the stories that matter to locals. When she is not at work you can find Nikita adventuring around Tasmania or spending time with family and friends. If you have story tips or events in the Arts and Events sector, please contact Nikita at nikita.mcguire@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 031 581
