The pair will celebrate their platinum anniversary on September 8, and throughout the years they have been almost inseparable.

Even a recent stint in hospital couldn’t keep them apart for too long, as they ended up sharing a room when they were admitted in February.

Ron, 94 and Claire, 90 met through mutual friends in Kurri many years ago.

They wed at the Congregational Church in Kurri, and held their reception at the old ambulance hall.

The house they moved into is the house they still live in today, having paid 245 pounds for it in 1945.

And that isn’t the only thing that has remained unchanged since they wed 70 years ago.

“The day we got married he said ‘you’ll never have to work again,’ and I never did,” Claire said.

The pair raised their two daughters Lyn and Judy in the house and has welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren since.

Throughout his life Ron worked on farms, in the mines and finished up his career at the washing plant at Hexham, but now just likes to sit out in the sun on a nice day.

Claire still cooks breakfast for Ron every morning, as well as the occasional dinner too.

“He’s a very lucky man,” Claire said.

Their daughter Lyn agreed and said that Ron never says a word out of place in front of her mum or anyone else in the family.

“They’re just the best there is,” Lyn said.

They credit their longevity to eating well, being well looked after and not drinking or smoking.

They hold a mutual respect for one another, share a good sense of humour and “can’t shut up”. 

“There’s no boss in this house,” Claire said.

They’re quite well known around the community too – neighbourhood kids that used to visit them almost 70 years ago still stop in to see them, including a neighbour Glenys who checks on them more than once a day and Lyn said they are asked after quite regularly.

Ron and Claire plan to celebrate the milestone quietly, and are gathering with family on the weekend afterwards to have a joint festivity with their great-granddaughter who is celebrating her birthday.

The couple have received letters from Queen Elizabeth, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, NSW Premier Mike Baird, Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon and Cessnock  Mayor Bob Pynsent congratulating them on the milestone, but  they don’t expect this to be their last anniversary.

“I hope we celebrate a few more,” Ron said.