Jack and Gina Rosa (Ciriaco Rosa and Virginia Memmolo) will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on August 29.
The couple grew up in neighbouring villages in Italy, and even though the families were acquainted, they didn't meet until 1949 when Gina was 17 and Jack was 24.
Jack was in the police force and came home only periodically. He resigned from the force and migrated to Australia in 1952 and began to correspond with Gina over an 18-month period.
Their love blossomed and Jack asked Gina's father for her hand in marriage. Gina's father would not agree to the marriage unless it happened before she left for Australia. As Jack could not afford to travel back to Italy, he asked his brother, Guiseppe, to stand in for him (as a proxy).
Jack and Gina were finally reunited in Sydney in 1955.
Jack organised a wedding dress and photographer for the couple to have some official wedding photos.
They settled in Kedron before purchasing a farm in Birkdale with Jack's two brothers. They all worked hard to make this a success to support the family.
After a couple of years, Jack bought out his two brothers and continued to work the farm until it was sold to developers in early 1970s.
The couple still lives on one of the farm's sites.
Jack has worked tirelessly for the community for more than 40 years including Lions, Meals on Wheels, RDCOTA and various Italian associations. He has been recognised numerous times for his work including a Centenary of Australia Medal and Redlands Inspiring Seniors Award.
They are each other's greatest support and through all the hardships, heartaches, joy and success, they are a couple to be admired.
They have three children Pia, Angelo (deceased) and Dino, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
