LONG time Redlands residents John and Shirley Turnbull have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
They were married at Cleveland in 1956.
Daughter Shirley Fairbairn said her dad moved to the Redlands from Sydney as a youth and lived at Redland Bay Road, Capalaba, with his family.
He had not long won a NSW amateur boxing title in the 16-year-old division.
Shirley was the daughter of local farmers George and Alice Randall of Birkdale Road.
Ms Fairbairn said her mother attended Birkdale Primary School and was proud to have lived locally for almost 80 years.
“John and Shirley met at the Birkdale Hall where they would attend dances on Saturday nights,’’ Ms Fairbairn said.
“After courting for a couple of years they decided to get married at St Pauls Anglican Church at Cleveland on December 15, 1956.
“They bought 5 acres (2ha) in Smith Street, Capalaba, and lived very modestly while, raising five children.
“David, Greg (deceased), Susan, Karen and Shirley.
“They lived there for over 20 years and managed to grow some small crops during this period while John worked as a linesman at the Cleveland SEA (electricity board).’’
Ms Fairbairn said that in 1969 her father started the first local boxing club as the trainer, even taking a team to New Caledonia in the early 70’s for the Oceanic Games.
As the club grew over the years, he moved it to the School of Arts Hall at Capalaba and then eventually to Wynnum.
“From pigeon racing to greyhound racing, John has always enjoyed the social interaction within clubs and his community,’’ she said. “John and Shirley also enjoyed playing ten pin bowls at Capalaba but in more recent years have enjoyed lawn bowls at Capalaba.’’
After living at Sheldon for more than 30 years, they have moved to a Capalaba retirement village.
John still loves to bowl and play crochet at his club and they are both kept busy as they enjoy watching their 10 grandchildren, two step grandchildren and two great grandchildren grow into young adults.
