By Matthew Pearce
North Rockhampton couple Frank and Marj Noy mark 70 years of marriage next week and their love for each other is stronger than ever.
Frank Noy and Marj McLaughlin first met in Springsure in 1949 at the local cafe on a Friday afternoon.
“Friday was payday and my girlfriends and I always went to the cafe for an ice cream soda on Fridays because that was all we could afford,” Marj said.
“Frank and his mate were there and asked if we were going to the dance that night, and it all started from there.”
Four years later, the pair were married at the Springsure Presbyterian Church on 23 May, 1953 – Frank was aged 22 and Marj was 19.
The pair spent their honeymoon in Cairns at the same time as Elizabeth II was declared Queen, returning to Springsure where Frank worked at the sawmill.
After 18 months, Frank moved on to the Emerald sawmill, before joining the railway.
He was transferred to Rockhampton in 1959 where the couple lived in Mason St for 46 years before settling into life at Carinity Shalom retirement village 11 years ago.
While the Noys have no children, they adore their nieces and nephews, who are like “adopted grandchildren” to them.
The pair have been together through thick and thin, including Frank’s battle with bowel cancer in 1989.
Frank said the secret to their happy marriage was simple.
“We never did anything unless the both of us agreed to do it. If she wanted anything she’d ask me and if I wanted anything I’d ask her and we’d decide yes or no,” Frank said.
“We’d do most everything together,” Marj said.
The couple enjoyed dancing on the weekends, as well as tennis and indoor bowls, which Frank still plays.
“We used to go dancing every weekend unless I was on a night shift, at the Railway Institute and at Mt Larcom, Bajool, Stanwell, The Caves… wherever the dances were on,” Frank said.
The couple have fond memories of their many overseas holidays, including trips to New Zealand, England, Europe, Hawaii, Hong Kong and China, where they walked the Great Wall.
“China was like something out of this world,” Frank said.
“It was the biggest adventure in my life. We were some of the first European tourists to be allowed in some parts of China,” Marj said.
The pair are looking forward to catching up with family and friends at their 70th anniversary celebration at the Indoor Bowls Hall at Kent St on Saturday, 20 May, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
The pair said their married life had been “absolutely wonderful” and they loved their home at Carinity Shalom.
“Living here is like living with a family, we all help one another… there’s no better place to spend your eventide years,” Marj said.
“I think our love is deeper than it ever was, we’re very good friends as well as good companions now and we just love our life here.”