Leila and Des Kinchington celebrated 70 years of marriage in good company at the Caledonian Hotel.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Certified Echucans Des and Leila Kinchington celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last week in the company of friends, family and international visitors.
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On Wednesday, October 22, the couple and their loved ones visited the Caledonian Hotel for afternoon tea to mark the milestone achievement.
Steve Buchanan, Leila Kinchington, Joy Buchanan (née Kinchington), Des Kinchington and Alan Kinchington.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Ian Tamme, Joy Buchanan, Sue Buchanan, Wendy Keech and Everard Keech.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The couple met many years ago in Benalla, where Des worked on the railways and Leila had employment as a nurse’s aide.
After being introduced to each other through mutual friends, they frequented local dances each weekend, where they would foxtrot together, and visited the cinema regularly.
They were married in 1955 at the Benalla Presbyterian Church, and soon after moved to Echuca, where Des was transferred to for work around 60 years ago.
Des and Leila Kinchington pictured on their wedding day.
“We are qualified locals now,” Leila said.
Des joined the Rich River Tennis Club, where he played for around 30 years, and the couple had two children, Joy and Alan.
In their spare time, Des and Leila said they enjoyed travelling extensively around Victoria, a state they had seen plenty of.
Julie Morgan, John St Leger, Ashley Lammardo and Veronica Lammardo were visiting from the United States.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“There’s a lot to see in Victoria — that’s if you’re prepared to get off your backside and wander around, and you have to wander around,” Des said.
“We found things we didn’t know existed.”
Leila’s favourite spot in the state is Bright, where she has a connection, via her father, who was a soldier in a nearby prisoner of war camp during World War II.
On the secret to 70 years of marriage, with a laugh, Des said it was important to honour the relationship’s dynamics.
Or, put more simply:
“There’s only one boss,” he said.
While Leila admitted she was the one in charge, she also said it was important to work together as a couple to make the connection last, which Des agreed with.
“You’ve got to talk. If you don’t talk, you’re buggered,” Des said.
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