General News
27 February, 2026
Couple marks 60th anniversary
Local couple Peter and Barbara Maffescioni recently marked their 60th wedding anniversary, a milestone encompassing travel, working and caring for their beloved family.
It was here in Maryborough when the pair first met working together in the 1950s.
“At Carsons Garage, we were both working there in Nolan Street, I was there for eight and a half years, we were both there round about the same time,” Mrs Maffescioni.
However, the diamond anni-versary started as a memorable wedding day, with Mr Maffescioni left waiting at St Augustine’s church unsure if Mrs Maffescioni would arrive.
“I was late because I had a puncture in the car tyre ... there was only one house between Craigie and Maryborough so we stopped and they had a spare one for us, but we made it,” Mrs Maffescioni said.
“I was half an hour late, I think he thought I probably wasn’t coming. But we made it and we are still here.”
Regardless, the couple believe there have been endless memorable times since then. In fact, Mr Maffescioni feels that every day since then has been filled with special moments.
This has included embarking on several overseas travels and trips around Australia.
“We’ve toured around with the coach ... we have been to Hawaii twice, I loved it over there, the beaches are beautiful. And, we love going to Queensland,” Mrs Maffescioni said.
“We went to Queensland every year ... I’ve done hostessing on the coach for 40 years.”
The 60th anniversary was even marked on Maffescioni’s recent tour to Brisbane, under iconic tropical weather.
“It rained that night we all sat and we drowned, we were all soaking wet ... even though we had coats on, we were all wet through,” Mrs Maffescioni said.
Most importantly, the pair look fondly on their over half a century together, notably, working together for Maffescioni’s Buslines.
“We have been working for 50 years, working together all that time,” Mrs Maffescioni said.
As for the secret to the couple’s longevity, Mrs Maffescioni said it is critical not to fight.
“You don’t fight. We never had an argument. The kids say ‘don’t you fight? the other kid’s parents fight’. We don’t fight. We might have solaces, but we don’t fight, never have,” she said.
“It’s a waste of time fighting ... we have worked together that whole time, we get on, we have our moments but we don’t fight or argue.”
Over their 60 years together, the couple have looked after many children throughout their growing family tree. Every member of the Maffescioni family has moved in with their much loved ‘nan and pa’ at some stage in their lives.
“We have always had kids live here ... it’s all been good,” Mrs Maffescioni said.
“We’ve got a few grandkids and they are always around, we are never by ourselves. One day we might be when we are older. They all like coming here and staying for a while, and going off again.
“It keeps you young ... they are all good kids.”
The couple said they have slowed down following complications with Mr Maffescioni’s health, but are looking forward to many more years together.
“We still get out and around ... we won’t be able to give it another 60 years but hopefully another 10 or 15, who knows,” Mrs Maffescioni said.