Allison, from Gippsland, was a nurse at Rochester hospital, while John lived around the corner from the hall.
“We both had to go the dance,” John said.
“My father was the president of the hall hospital committee and Allison’s matron at the hospital said they had to go out to help.”
“We fell in love immediately,” Allison said.
“He was tall, dark and handsome with black curly hair.”
A year later, the Monigattis were married on a cold day at St Joseph’s Church in Rochester on March 2, 1961.
After they were married they lived at Fairy Dell where John was a dairy farmer while Allison continued nursing.
The family grew with seven children — Michelle, Jacquelyn, Susan, Paul, Bryan, Sandi and Loretta — and now John and Allison have 27 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
They later moved to Strathallan to grow tomatoes before retiring in Moama 10 years ago.
Over the years they’ve loved travelling and still enjoy long months away in their motorhome over winter.
“We’ve always done everything together,” Allison said.
“Never been on a separate holiday or anything like that.
“We’ve had a great life.”
John and Allison celebrated their diamond anniversary with loved ones at the Echuca Hotel on Sunday, February 28.
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