It was Palmerston North in the early 1960s at a housewarming party and two strangers had discovered they both had identical blue Morris Minors.
Now Botany residents Colin and Barbara Johnstone are celebrating their 60th anniversary.
A discovery of common interests at the party led the pair to conversation and, eventually, engagement after a year of dating.
“We both owned a Morris Minor 1955, same colour,” Barbara says. “We compared the cars.”
Six weeks later on August 12, 1961 they got married in Kihikihi.
Colin’s first job was at the Woodville Cheese Factory. He then entered the army until 1971.
The couple lived near several different army camps around the North Island until they bought a house in Moore Street, Howick and raised their four children: Audrey, Peter, Douglas, and Roslyn.
Colin worked at Freightways until 1985 when he took over Howick Mower Mart.
“He included the importation, sales, and servicing of the GoPed brand scooters for New Zealand,” Audrey says.
Barbara did the accounts for the business and was, Audrey says, “in high demand as an industrial workplace counsellor”.
When they moved to Huntington Park in Botany, Colin retired.
They are both regulars at Tiritiri Matangi Island. In the 80s, they replanted trees and vegetation. More recently they’ve been involved in the restoration and maintenance of the foghorn.
Barbara is active in the local Red Hat Society and is a regular Elim churchgoer. She held various office jobs before moving into childcare and chaplaincy work.
The couple has been involved in a large selection of clubs and associations: athletics, U3A, Scouts, indoor bowling league, walking and tramping.
Barbara says she and Colin have had separate activities “which occasionally we share”.
“We believe it enhances our message to have our own experiences to share.”
They have four children, six grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
When asked on the stand-out memories of the life she has shared with Colin, Barbara says,
“Our children. They enhance our life.”
For their 60th year wedding anniversary celebration the pair will be planning a quiet family lunch together.
“I can’t believe it’s been 60 years,” Barbara says.
