CLEVELAND couple Brian and Maria Brown are about to raise the bat for 50 years of marriage.
Their son, also named Brian Brown, said the pair met while volunteering for a Young Christian Workers group in England during the sixties.
They married on September 20, 1969 in their home town of Sidcup, Kent, about 13 kilometres outside of London.
In 2009 they moved to the Redlands to live near their twin sons and grandchildren.
"They supported us both through university and never put any pressure on us to do anything we didn't want to," Mr Brown said.
"They let us decide our own lives.
"Subsequently, when we came to Australia they sacrificed what was a very pleasant life in England to be with their grandchildren."
Mr Brown said the secret to their long marriage was their patience for each other.
"I have never seen them have a serious row as long as I can remember," he said.
"I am sure there is a lot of raw love between them."
The couple, who live on Queen Street, have been involved in community work since before their marriage and continue to help where they can to this day.
"Mum goes around visiting disadvantaged people," he said.
"Dad used to go around delivering furniture to the people in need but unfortunately his legs are gone a bit now.
"They have always been involved in some church work or some clubs for the elderly but now they are starting to get older."
The couple will celebrate with family and friends at a special party before travelling the south seas on a cruise at the start of next year.
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