Peter and Beth Daniell celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last week, one that started when the couple first met as teenagers at Bible class in Duntroon.
Both from farming families in the North Otago area, the relationship continued at Presbyterian church dance nights and the couple married in Oamaru at St Paul’s Church in late January 1956.
The couple’s nuptials were one of three weddings that day in the church.
Mr Daniell, 92, was a trained motor mechanic in Duntroon and the couple decided to look for a place to run their own business in the early 1960s.
They decided on Outram and made the trip south with three young children - twin boys were added later.
The couple bought the Outram garage and became immersed in the community.
"Coming down here we didn’t know anyone, but the community was hugely supportive.
"Just helped us out so much," Mrs Daniell, 91, said.
Outram was a different place back then. Market gardens dominated, so there was plenty of work for a mechanic.
The family threw itself into the community.
Mr Daniell was part of the volunteer fire brigade for 30 years and spent 18 years serving on community boards - before and after local government amalgamation in 1989.
Mrs Daniell was a member of the local embroidery club, the gardening club and a long time member of Rural Women New Zealand.
They were also heavily involved in the church.
They sold the garage in the late 1980s and Mr Daniell had his first taste of retirement before buying the mail run around Outram, which he operated for 10 years.
The Daniells moved into their current house in 2008, which was built by their son.
The couple had a celebration last week at the Concord Tavern with all 22 of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren present.
Mrs Daniell said it was great to get everyone together and for all the friends and family to make the effort to come.
When asked what was the key to 70 years of happy marriage they said it was keeping well, taking care of each other and having a supportive family and community.
