Sisters To Celebrate 60th Wedding Anniversaries Together

As a way of saving money, Wyong sisters, Pat and Beth Newbury married their fiancees at St James Anglican Church, Wyong on November 8, 1954.

Pat, who worked at Chapman's Store, married Jim Dyer, a truck driver, while Beth married Barry Smith, who worked at the local hardware store.

Mrs Dyer said the sisters were from a large family of eight children and their father suggested the double wedding because he simply couldn’t afford to pay for two weddings at the time.

"Beth was also working at Chapmans and as we did everything together anyway and the same people would be invited to both weddings so we decided to go ahead," she said.

Both sisters wore white satin lace trimmed gowns and carried bouquets of carnations and orchids.

Mrs Smith said there were 80 guests but many others came to watch the happy event at the Byron Street church.

The little white timber church was packed and the day was hot but the families had a wonderful time.

Mr and Mrs Dyer live at East Gosford and had five daughters, they have 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mr and Mrs Smith who live at Blue Haven also had five children three boys and two girls, they also have 12 grandchildren, four step grandchildren and six grandchildren.

OLD CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE

Unfortunately when the two couples reunited at St James Anglican Church Wyong the only remnants of the original church built in 1906 were a charred cross behind glass and the church bell after arsonists burnt the church down in 1994.

The new brick church was opened in 1990 and in 2006 the church celebrated its centenary.

- Daily Telegraph