LOVE 50 YEARS STRONG
Minister from wedding returns for couple’s vow renewal
GOLD Coast identities Allan and Lois Cottrell celebrated their 50-year marriage anniversary by renewing their vows at Emerald Lakes Golf Course with the same minister who married them in 1970.
Half a century ago on October 24 in Shepparton, Victoria, Reverend Geoff Prentice made the young couple husband and wife.
The Cottrells, now in their early 70s, have two children, five grandchildren and, coincidentally, live just 1km from Mr Prentice, who is 82.
“We couldn’t believe it when we found out he lived just down the road from us, it’s incredible to think that of all the places we could live, we are almost neighbours,” Mr Cottrell said.
An ex-construction boss and VFL player, Mr Cottrell moved to the Gold Coast just after he married Lois, who was a hairdresser at the first of the city’s high-rise towers in Surfers Paradise: “I met Lois when she was 15 in Shepparton and we’ve been together for 55 years, and luckily she still talks to me.
“She’s a very attractive lady and always been very kind to me.
“We bought our first block of land on the Gold Coast for $2500 at Surfers Ave in Mermaid Waters. When we moved here there were only 50,000 people on the Coast.”
Mr Cottrell started his own construction company and was retired by the age of 50: “We were supposed to celebrate Lois’s 70th birthday this year by having a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, but that’s been cancelled because of COVID, so we’ll hopefully do that in a few years time,” he said.
“I’m still very much into the football and we drive our golf buggy across the road to Metricon Stadium to watch the games.”
Mrs Cottrell said the pair met playing badminton, a sport she still plays: “It was just his nice personality and kindness that I fell in love with.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, I found a special soulmate.”
The couple had a special pendant made using heirloom rings and other pieces of jewellery to celebrate their golden anniversary.
And the secret to 50 years of marital bliss?
“Patience, and lots of kindness” Mrs Cottrell said.