General News
17 February, 2026
Sheep, travel and love: 60 years of marriage
Local couple Judy and Laurie Cassidy have marked their diamond anniversary, a remarkable milestone for a marriage that has taken them across the globe.
Originally from western Victoria, the couple met as teenagers in the early 60s, becoming a perfect pair when Mr Cassidy’s career as a sheep shearer complimented Mrs Cassidy’s love of wool craft.
“I spent a lot of time shearing, in fact, we got married on a Saturday morning, on Sunday we went on our honeymoon to Halls Gap, and I had to shear in South Australia on the Monday morning,” Mr Cassidy said.
“We got along alright and did all sorts of things, and we never had too many hassles.”
Ms Cassidy said the pair already knew each other for a few years, unaware their bond world last 60.
“There are a lot of memories and stories. Laurie and I met through my girlfriend, I was actually 15 when I started going out with him, I’m not quite sure how dad let that happen ... but we have been together ever since,” she said.
The couple went on to have two sons, Terry and John, then two grandchildren, and now, two great grandchildren.
The pair’s fondest memories since then have been venturing off their Wimmera sheep farms for inter-national trips to experience unfamiliar places together.
This included Canada, America, Egypt and parts of Europe.
However, after years prospecting together, the pair finally decided to call the Central Goldfields home.
“We used to come over here and always did some gold prospecting ... we did know quite a few people here before we moved up,” Mr Cassidy said.
Nowadays, the pair take part in local sporting together, even if it means they play head to head.
“We have played bowls, golf and tennis together ... we still go out and scrub for gold but that’s only part time ... we have done all of these strange things ... we do keep out of mischief,” Mr Cassidy said.
“This coming week we have bowls and I’m supposed to play against Judy. She’s been the champion out there for the past four years. I’ve only been runner up, but that’s not to say we won’t have a good contest.”
To mark their anniversary, the couple celebrated with long time friends and family members, part of a string of unsuspected and surprise events organised by Mr Cassidy’s sister.
The couple also received letters from members of the royal family and various politicians, congratu-lating them on the occasion.
As for the secret to the longevity of the couple’s mariage, Mr Cassidy has endless advice.
“One thing you don’t do is take your arguments into the bedroom. Some people fight half the night. So if you’re going to debate about anything, it has got to disappear until you get out of bed in the morning, and you can start again,” he said.
“And you have got to be friends. We were always friends because before we were married, we would do things together.
“And to travel, the first trip we ever did, it was just splendid. There were ads in The Sun with holidays, $400 to go to Darwin and back for three weeks, and that was the best thing we ever did, we met people from all over the world, we moved out from our square ... those trips got us out into the world.”
