SYLVIA and John Holling packed just two suitcases and a tool box when they emigrated from England with their three children.
The voyage to Australia took five weeks and when they arrived, a telegram was waiting for Sylvia, telling her that her father had died.
It was a miserable start to a fresh beginning but the “ten pound Pom” family from Yorkshire was determined to make it work.
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John and Sylvia set about carving out a better life for themselves and their children on foreign soil.
After 60 years of married life this month, Sylvia, 79, reflected on her two greatest choices in life.
The first was to marry John and the second, to move to Australia. Happily, she considers both decisions were excellent.
Sylvia said she and John had watched their children grow up to become successful adults, something living in the lucky country had enabled.
The three all had their own homes, which Sylvia and John helped build.
“We wanted a better future for the children,” she said. “We tried to do better in England but we couldn’t.
“Australia is the best place in the world if you're prepared to work hard and be honest.”
Sylvia was a 17-year-old factory worker when John, an apprentice plasterer, spied her at his sister’s wedding.
Sylvia recounted the moment she first saw John.
“He poked his head around door where we were staying and I thought, ‘he has two lovely ears’,” she said.
“It stuck in my mind, what a lovely face he had."
The pair were together for six months before deciding to make their match permanent, marrying on March 8, 1958.
Their diamond anniversary was celebrated in style with a 1930s-themed costume party and replica wedding cake.
Sylvia said everything old came back into fashion – the lace top she wore at the party was a gift John had given to her more than 60 years earlier.