JESSE NEILL
A GAWLER couple who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this weekend say the answer to a successful relationship is communication and “being able to solve your problems so you can get on with life”.
It all began for Peter and Mary-Anne Hutchins in 1967 when they shared a dance after meeting at the Norwood Ballroom.
“We met there and danced together and after I found out where she lived and worked we were able to continue meeting up,” Peter said.
“We started going out together and would see each other at different dances, and after two years we were married.”
They went on to have their first son Alex in 1971 and youngest son Jason in 1975, and now have three grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Dancing and music would continue to feature heavily in their relationship, with Peter becoming quite an accomplished musician throughout the region.
Peter was a former bandmaster for the Gawler Town Band and is the town’s longest serving bandmaster, having led the band for 27 years.
Peter also made up a cabaret band and was involved in a ‘60-40’ band in his younger years.
Mary-Anne became his biggest fan and said these concerts were some of the highlights of their marriage.
“I loved it…going there and dancing with the other band members’ wives while he was playing,” she said.
“He still plays the keyboard and specialises in old style dancing, and he performs every Saturday night throughout the region.”
Peter took a break from the keys last Sunday though, as the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary at Jason’s house in Hewett, just a minute’s walk from their own home.
They shared the festivities with friends who they say they’ve mainly met through their musical endeavours and their sons Alex and Jason helped organise the function.
Having lived in Gawler together for 50 years, Peter said learning to let go is the key to their long-lasting marriage.
“It’s too easy nowadays for people to have an argument, walk out the door and close it.
“You have your arguments but you get over them – you can’t stew on things.
“That’s how you look after each other and care for each other.”