One of several inspiring thoughts governor Joyce Fren had for Quotarians at their annual installation dinner last week was to renew their pledge of service to the community. An honourable duty indeed.

"Much as we can take pride in our fifty years just recently marked, there can be no letting up," governor Fren said.

"Standards in the home as well as in community affairs must be maintained; we want, and must have, only the best citizens possible for the future," she added.

"Our ethical standards must be maintained at all times, and there must be no short weight or shoddy goods in our make-up.

"We must promote ethical standard, for if we let our community down, we let ourselves down as well."

Fifty years of marriage celebrated

Popular residents of Port Macquarie, and particularly of the Blackmans Point area, William and Sylvia Gardiner, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Saturday.

Fifty years ago, on May 17, 1919, in the Church of St Thomas at Port Macquari, they were married by Cannon Madden.

On Saturday next, a fourth generation, Gay Gillies, will marry Des Hancock in the same church.

Both Mr and Mrs Gardiner are natives of Port Macquarie, and have lived here all their lives.

They have spent the past forty years at Blackmans Point, and still operate the Post Office at that centre.

In this capacity they have endeared themselves to a wide circle of friends and neighbours, lots of whom gathered together on Friday night, at the invitation of Mrs Win Low, the Gardiners' only child, to celebrate this very happy occasion.

"Bill" Gardiner might well be described as one of the salts of the earth around these parts and a great many friends wish him and Mrs Gardiner every happiness on this occasion and in the years to come.

Late Jack Staples

The Last Post sounded in Sydney Wednesday last for a soldier and citizen well known in Port Macquarie.

At the age of 76, the late John Henry Staples, who lived with his family in Hay Street for many years, died at a convalescent home in Burwood.

His death removes a well-known local identity, and one of the originals who formed Port Macquarie's sub-branch of the RSL.

His encounter with war was a brief and costly one, for on his second visit to the front lines in the 1914-18 conflict he had his left leg blown off by a shell.

He was made a life member of the RSL Sub-branch in 1947, and only in recent years, after reaching the compulsory retiring age of 70, he relinquished the role of trustee for the local RSL.

Quiet and unassuming he took his place in civil life as he did when his country was threatened.

He gave a helping hand to sporting clubs, particularly the football and surf clubs, but the majority of his spare time went to the RSL, holding down every office the sub-branch had to offer with the exception of the presidency.

In the less prosperous days of Port Macquarie he conducted a menswear business in the main street.