Christmas, love lighting up couple’s lives
GROVEDALE residents Marie and Gordon Scanlon — known around town for their annual Christmas decorations — celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next week.
The pair who were both born and raised in Geelong were first introduced in 1955 and eventually wed on November 29, 1958, nine months after their first date at the drive-in cinema.
“Our first date was to the movies. I liked him because he was different to everybody else. He was shy and dressed nice,” Mrs Scanlon said.
The wedding ceremony was held at Geelong’s St Peter and Paul’s Church before 30 friends and family.
Mrs Scanlon, now 81, bought a Belmont block of land where the pair went on to build their first home. Mr Scanlon sold his much-loved car to help cover costs.
“We rode our bikes there every weekend with the hand tools in the basket. It took us 20 months to complete,” she said.
The couple, who have three daughters and six grandchildren, moved to Grovedale in 2000, where their popular Christmas tradition began.
What started with one strand of lights grew to more than 2000 fairy lights which drew hundreds of visitors to their Laugna Place home in the lead-up to Christmas.
Each night — even in 40C heat — the 84-year-old grandfather would put on his Santa suit and hand out lolly bags.
This will be the first year without the lights as Mr Scanlon will be recovering from shoulder surgery.
The pair plan to celebrate their milestone anniversary with family and friends at the Gateway Hotel.