Long Term Ocean Grove residents Owen and Lorraine Holbrook celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in style.
Their daughter Lynne organised a limo to collect them to take them to a special family party at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Lynne explained that her mother said she had always wanted to travel in style.
She should have known her daughter better than that – last time she told her she had never had a 21st birthday party. Lynne also arranged that, all be it when Lorraine was in her 70s. Better late than never.
The limo was left as a complete surprise to the couple as they headed for the party on Sunday.
Both the couple are well know Ocean Grovers. Owen was born in Lismore and came to Ocean Grove in 1935,Lorraine was born in Brisbane and came to Ocean Grove 1948.
When the 2nd World War broke out Owen and a group of men from OG went off to fight in various places.
Owen saw service in New Guinea and Borneo, before being discharged back into civilian life in OG.
The couple met through the result of the Chalet Guest House fire. Lorraine’s parents were the proprietors at the time and Owen was Fire Brigade captain in the early years.
They were married at St Peters Church on the 11 March 1950 and still live in their original house in The Parade.
Lorraine and Owen were both involved in the Bowling Club from its Opening Day in various capacities.
Owen was in the Development Commitee, purchasing land as well as the leveling of the first greens. Lorraine bowled for many years and organised many entertainments for the club. She has recently compiled and published a book about its Entertainment History.
Owen was also involved in Tok H, the RSL, running Mitchell Park (Grubb Rd) and various local community activities.
Owen was a pupil at the local primary school at the age of 10 and later Lorraine taught there for 20 years.
As local business owners/ Holbrooks’ Road and Concrete Constructions.. as well as being early and still current residents of the Grove , Owen and Lorraine have seen many changes.
They were among the earliest residents of the Grove and two of the few longest living residents to this day.
They have two adult children, Adrian and Lynne and 3 grand children.
On Sunday the stretch limosine took them via a scenic drive through Geelong to Werribee Open Range Zoo where they enjoyed a lunch with their family followed by a private safari tour …up close and personal with the animals.
On the way the couple was asked for the ‘magic ingredient’ for 60 years? “Give and take,” replied Lorraine.
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