LONG-term Forrestfield residents Peter and Judy Gibbs will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on November 6.

Peter and Judy were married at the former New Church on Adelaide Terrace, East Perth in 1965 and the rest as they say, is history.

The couple first moved to Forrestfield about 50 years ago and raised two children, Georgina and Samantha, who both attended Forrestfield Primary School.

“Over the years, my parents have seen the community diversify with huge changes in streetscapes and parks,” Georgina said.

“Also, it was the community that came together to help save my dad’s life earlier this year when he suffered a stroke while lining up to vote at Forrestfield Primary School,” Georgina said.

“Community members in line rushed to assist my dad, rang an ambulance and at the same time comforted my mum.

“He was rushed to Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital and had a successful thrombectomy. The doctors said it was the quick response that saved his life.”

Peter was born in Allanson, near Collie in 1939, leaving school at 15 to join the Collie Railway.

“He would get up at 3.30am and ride his bike into Collie to wake the train drivers and fire men for their upcoming work shift,” Georgina said.

“After doing that job for a while he started a moulder’s apprenticeship at Gelderts Foundry in Collie.

“In 1955 he moved to Perth and joined Hadfields Foundry in Bassendean and also spent several years working at the Midland Workshops.”

She said Peter moved into a boarding house in Bassendean and used to go along to Alan Butcher’s Dance Studio with a mate, learning to dance and gaining confidence.

Peter also spent several years working at the Midland Workshops.

Judy was born in Braunschweig, Germany in 1946, and her family migrated to Australia in 1955.

They settled in a holding camp in Northam before moving to Wooroloo and Highgate, and purchasing a house in Second Avenue, Mount Lawley.

“It was difficult for Mum initially as she spoke no English and felt very different from her peers but she gradually integrated,” Georgina said.

“The teachers had trouble pronouncing her name (Jutta) so they started calling her Judy and it stuck.”

Judy left school at 15 to attend Boroughs Business School where she learnt to be a comptometrist, becoming an Australian citizen in 1962.

After moving to Mount Lawley, Peter met Judy when they were both living around the corner from one another.

“Peter was driving home one day and when Judy was walking home from the bus stop, she caught his eye,” Georgina said.

“He noticed her a few more times after that and eventually summoned up the courage to say hello.

“They had their first official date in 1963, going to see Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Piccadilly Cinema in Perth.”

The family spent many weekends at South Fremantle Football Club games (where Peter was a member), and when the Fremantle Dockers were formed in 1994, the family soon became diehard fans.

They also both learned to play badminton together, playing at a competitive level for many years.

“Mum and dad both love gardening although unfortunately, old age prevents them from being as active in the garden now,” Georgina said.

“Their pride and joy is a beautiful poinciana tree that they planted soon after they built - it now stands tall, shading the backyard.

“In her later life, Mum also volunteered at Donovan House on Lewis Road in Forrestfield, where she would sit and talk with elderly residents, particularly those who didn’t have family to visit them.”

Peter turns 86 in December and Judy turns 80 in January next year.

They both still live in the same house and enjoy catching up with their family (including three grandchildren) and local friends at Dawson’s Garden World café.