SPECIAL dinners, catching up with family and friends and an overseas trip are part of the celebrations Barbara and Doug Bambling have enjoyed in marking their 50th wedding anniversary, recently.
Barbara and Doug, who live in Rosewood, met at a dance. They started dating, built a friendship and this led to them exchanging vows at the Lutheran Church in Laidley on September 2, 1972.
Barbara describes their wedding day as very special as they were surrounded by all of the special people in their life.
And now, 50 years on she looks back on many adventures that they have shared.
“We moved to Rosewood after we were married in 1972 and built a life together,” she said.
“Doug worked at a family timber mill business and I worked at a store that traded in all sorts of items, where I also operated the old telephone exchange,” she said.
“We met and made many friends, who are still in our lives today, and our family grew with the addition of our three children Steven, Melissa and Lynise.
“The children all attended St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, and were involved in many school sporting days, camps and events.
“Once they graduated from primary school, they then went onto Rosewood State High School.
“These were wonderful years for us and the children especially throughout the holidays when we would set off out west travelling, exploring and camping, the children often reminisce about their memories of those times with the family today.”
Their family soon grew with the addition of nine grandchildren, and they are counting the days to their first great grandchild.
“Family is everything and we are all very close, I often look after the grandchildren and enjoy being part of their personal achievements and milestones,” she said.
“Each year we all get together for Christmas and catch up for birthdays. I am proud of them all, they are all very special.”
Volunteering has been a big part of Barbara’s life, with many hours spent at Cabanda Care in Rosewood, through the Meals and Wheels service and in hospitality.
“I enjoy helping others and being able to give back and help where I can, it felt really good, and it provided me with an avenue to meet people while being able to keep busy,” she said.
“In 2008 Doug and I started working together when we first purchased a Jack Daniels truck then a rum truck that we drove to numerous shows and events selling merchandise.
“These businesses provided us with an opportunity to travel all around Australia, attending music shows and live concerts, it was a very social time.”
In 2014, Doug and Barbara retired.
“We have travelled all over Australia, from Cairns to Tasmania, through the desert to the vast rainforests, and have also ventured throughout many countries and states overseas, some of those places include China, Africa, Amsterdam, Norway and Burma.”
Now on their 50th wedding anniversary they will be adding Greece and Italy to their list
In addition to their interest to explore and see new places, the couple enjoy catching up with the many friends that they have made.
“We are very proud to have celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary and are blessed to have so many special people in our life to share this milestone with,” Barbara said.