Thompsons share their secret to 50 years of marriage

Since meeting, Dell and Brian Thompson have made the relationship work long distance, married, bought a home, had two children, worked through health issues together and retired from Sydney to Ulladulla. 

Mr Thompson said the duo “hit it off straight away” after he was moved to the Canberra branch of the Bank of NSW, now Westpac, for his country service. 

“I got sent to Canberra, which was classified as a country branch at the time, to do my country service from Sydney,” he said. 

“Dell started in the bank in Canberra as a junior officer and that’s how we met. Dell was 18 when we met and I was 21. 

“A friend asked me if I could pick up Dell and take her to a function and that is how it all started.”

When the bank found out about their relationship, they were separated. 

"When the bank found out that Dell and I were an item, fraternization in the bank wasn’t allowed, so they moved Dell to Wagga on temporary relief until they could get rid of me and then moved me to Maitland,” Mr Thompson said. 

“When I left Canberra, Dell was moved back to Canberra and we continued the relationship. We had to commute. 

“We were together for a long while before we got engaged.” 

But the relationship blossomed and the pair were married on February 12, 1968. 

“It was a big day,” Mr Thompson said. 

“There was more than 100 guests at the wedding, which was at St John’s Church in Reid, Canberra. We had our reception at the The Canberra Rex Hotel. 

“Then we honeymooned on the Gold Coast for a couple of weeks. We flew to Sydney from Canberra and got the Brisbane Limited Train to Brisbane and then got the bus down to the Gold Coast. 

“The Vietnam War was on and we had all of these American Sailors staying near us and there was a cyclone. The ocean was going down the street.”

When they returned, they both got jobs in Sydney and settled into their home in Pennant Hills. Two years later, they welcomed a son, Andrew, into the world. Soon after their daughter, Sharon, joined the family. 

Mr Thompson said he was active outside of the bank, refereeing soccer and coaching the bank netball team, which Mrs Thompson was a part of. 

Mrs Thompson said the key to the couple’s lost-lasting love was being there for each other during tough times. 

“We have been able to weather some storms together,” she said. 

“Just don’t give up when things don’t turn out the way they should, just press on and work together.” 

Both of the Thompsons’ parents were also married for more than 50 years. 

The couple now have five grandchildren and live in Ulladulla. 

Mr Thompson keeps himself busy with the Ulladulla Milton Lions Club, Lions Ulladulla District Community Foundation Inc and Jindelara Cottage respite facility. Mrs Thompson spends time in the garden, keeps active and is involved with the National Park Association. Both love playing golf. 

The Thompsons will celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary with lunch at St Isadores restaurant, Milton.