Noel and Marie Wallace are set to celebrate 70 years of marriage, having known each other almost their whole lives.

The Wallaces first met as students at the Mordiallac State School, where they briefly dated before parting ways.

After three years apart, they reconnected when they were 18 and from then on, they were inseparable.

The couple married on September 3, 1955 and soon after moved to South Melbourne to live with Mr Wallace’s parents.

They built a life together in South Melbourne, enjoying city life and welcoming their first three children, Debra, Barry and Noel, in the first four years of marriage.

When the opportunity arose for Mr Wallace to play football for the Echuca Football Club, the couple made the decision to leave their familiar life behind and start a new chapter in regional Victoria.

Mrs Wallace said the decision to move to Echuca was a difficult one for her.

“I knew nothing and nobody, I was quite happy in South Melbourne where we were living because it was close to town, we could walk into town, go to the movies, or walk the other way and go to the beaches — it was too easy,” she said.

“Then we came up to come up here, and I thought ... what's he doing to me?

“He said, ‘I'll just go up for three years, and then we'll come back home again’... so many years later, and I’m still here.”

Despite her initial hesitation, the couple bought a home in Echuca in 1960 and slowly became ingrained in the local community.

Their family continued to grow, with the addition of three more children — Brian, Raelene and the baby, Rohan.

Mrs Wallace worked as a telephonist and a domestic worker for many years while Mr Wallace worked as a shoemaker and later on, at the old Echuca flour mill.

As Mr Wallace was heavily involved with the local football club, swimming club and athletics, much of their time outside of work was devoted to sport.

The Wallaces’ six children followed in their father's footsteps and took up footy and swimming.

Mr Wallace said sport was an important part of their family, as it brought them closer.

“They had to go to the football on Saturday whether they liked it or not and when the swimming season come along, they’d have to go training with me,” he said.

“As a family, it’s probably helped us a lot ... later on, they swam competitively, so every weekend we were away — Tongala, Shepparton, sometimes Melbourne — so we were all together, all the time.”

During their 66 years in Echuca, the couple have watched the town grow from less than 1000 residents to more than 15,000.

They have also touched many lives, through 60 years of service to the Echuca Football Club and their involvement with the Echuca Swimming Club, where Mr Wallace spent 15 years teaching children to swim free of charge.

Through it all, Mr and Mrs Wallace have remained a steadfast team.

Mrs Wallace said the many good times they had shared were the key to their 70 years of marriage.

“We’ve had our ups, we’ve had our downs, but we’ve had more good than bad I think in the 70 years. It’s probably why we’re still together,” she said.

“All I can I can say is be patient, be tolerant, and give just that little bit more than you receive.”

Mr Wallace had his own advice for a long-lasting marriage.

“I'll give you the best advice — never argue with women,” he said.

“Just say yes. Whether you are mean it or not, say yes. In the long run, you are not going to win the argument.”

Nowadays, Mr Wallace spends his time playing golf locally while Marie goes to coffee and lunch with her friends a few days a week.

On Fridays, the couple go to the Moama RSL to enjoy a meal together.

When they’re not out and about, the Wallaces can be found at the home they bought when they first moved to Echuca.

In that home where their life in Echuca began, the couple’s love continues to shine as brightly as it did when they first met.

Riverine Herald Google News Panels

Monday, 6th March 2023

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