Glass House mountains residents, Max and Jennifer Tweedale, recently celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary, qualifying them for a message of recognition from the Prime Minister and Governor General. GC&M News chatted with the down-to-earth couple who suggested a long-term commitment to their faith, and to each other, contributed to the longevity of their 50-year marriage.
The couple’s first meeting was at the wedding of Max’s sister, who married Jennifer’s brother – although this was their first encounter, it wasn’t until later, at family holidays and gatherings that Max and Jennifer got to know each other. The couple married at the Engadine Methodist Church on March 31, 1973, and then settled back in Max’s hometown of Beerwah, where they lived for the following twenty or so years before relocating to Glass House Mountains, where they established their wholesale Fern Nursery.
Max and Jennifer went on to have four children, Glenn, Karen, Mark and Sheree, and now have nine grandchildren to keep them happily occupied. Jennifer said she loved that Max was an honest, reliable and stable man, who made an excellent father and husband. She said her tip for a long and happy marriage was to be honest and real with each other.
“The biggest thing is to be open with each other. We share everything, and over the years have grown and learnt together. We look out for and after each other and our faith has been a big part of sticking together, as we made a solid commitment to God and also to each other,” explained Jennifer.
Max said a long marriage was all about ‘give and take’ and being able to compromise. He also said the 50 years have passed quickly.
“Although we’ve been married for 50 years, time flies and it only seems like it has been a few years” said Max.
The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Friday March 31 with a surprise gathering of local family members at Cafe Phillies, in Beerburrum. This was followed by a trip later in the day to the Bunya Mountains, where Max and Jennifer marked their milestone anniversary with a stay at the Kookaburra Cottage.