Rochester’s Marg and Geoff McCarty celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on July 18.
The McCartys were married on July 18, 1959, in Shepparton.
Born Margaret Hicks in Shepparton in 1937, Mrs McCarty was one of 11 children. She married Geoff McCarty, from Yarrawonga, who was born in 1936 and had five siblings.
The couple met at a dance in Mooroopna and lived there after their 1959 marriage before moving to Bunbartha, where Mr McCarty worked as a dairy farmer.
He also took on roles at the Ardmona factory in Mooroopna and worked as a shearer.
Their first four children were born within four years of each other, with daughter Louise Williams recalling her mother proudly saying, “I had four under four.”
The couple had seven children: Simon, Gabrielle, Christopher, Louise, Karen, Brendan and the late Loretta, who passed away in 1979.
In 1970, they moved to Rochester to a newly developed farm through the Rural Finance scheme.
In Rochester, they became involved with a range of sports, both playing golf at the Rochester Golf Club. Mr McCarty also played cricket and coached the under-16s football team, while Mrs McCarty played tennis and netball.
They continue to support the Rochester Tigers, trying to attend as many games as possible. Their grandsons Nathan McCarty and Dillon and Sean Williams are continuing the legacy, playing in the seniors.
Their children have largely remained local. Simon lives in Moama and runs Echuca Smallgoods. Gabrielle lives in Naneella as office manager and part-owner of Rochester Veterinary Practice.
Christopher works as a maths teacher at Caulfield Grammar in Melbourne. Louise lives in Rochester and works as a lab technician at St Joseph’s College, Echuca.
Karen is a dairy farmer in Tatura and Brendan is a retired dairy farmer in Rochester.
The McCartys have 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Louise Williams has fond memories of her childhood, with her parents providing a warm and exciting home.
“They are best friends and have always looked after each other,” she said.
“Mum was a great cook and I always remember having yummy cakes or slices to enjoy after school.
“Dad was a fun dad. I remember having running races with him from the dairy to the house, and he would still beat me, even running in gumboots.
“I think I was laughing too much.”