The pair were from opposite ends of the state - Max was born in Orange and Gwenda in Ballina - before the pair met in 1949 in Sydney at a theatre party.

Max was involved with the YMCA and Gwenda was in the YMCA when the pair were introduced.

"It was sort of like a blind date," Max said.

"We met when we were 18 and that was it really."

They were married in 1951 in Sydney while Max worked in the Justice Department and Gwenda continued working as a gymnast and acrobat.

"She had worked with a number of different dance companies and she was quite involved in this when we met," Max said.

The couple lived in Sydney for a while before starting their family and moving around the state for Max's work.

"We first moved to Bega, Tamworth and then Lismore."

Max resigned from his job with the Justice Department in 1966 and the family relocated to Port Macquarie where they built a life for themselves and became involved in the community.

"We ran a delicatessen on Horton Street for a number of years and became involved with the community here in Port Macquarie."

Max joined the Flynns Beach Surf Club in 1967 and is still a member today.

"I played a lot of sports in the community and we did build our lives together here."

The couple had three daughters, Amanda Valler, Karen Banes and Tina Spence. They have eight grandchildren and a large number of great-grandchildren as well.

"I think there's about 18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren all up," Max said.

The couple are marking a number of special milestones this year. Max celebrated his 90^th birthday on Sunday, September 5, their 70^th wedding anniversary is on September 22 and Gwenda will celebrate her 90^th on October 13.

The family had organised a celebration for the three milestones, however because of lockdown, Max and Gwenda we will be marking the occasions alone.

"Our daughters organised a nice dinner to be sent to our home for my birthday," Max said.

"The celebration that had been organised was just for family and there were going to be 45 people, but unfortunately we can't do that now," he added.

When asked about their secret for staying together from the age of 18, Max said the most important thing is to work together and be there for each other.

"Looking back, there's nothing I would change and I would do it all again," he said.

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