It’s been a life full of laughter for this cheeky pair who first laid eyes on each other in the late 1950s. The “City Slicker” and “Country Bumpkin” were introduced through work at the Weapons Research Establishment. Max Symons was an apprentice pattern-maker while Ruth Rowe worked in the planning office.

“We were introduced by someone, we went out and that’s how it happened,” Max said. And the rest is history. The Symons celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May with family.

Not long after marrying, Max and Ruth moved to Elizabeth where they went on to raise their two children Kerryn and Michael. “The atmosphere was good because it was like a little country town,” Max said. “There were only six shops in Elizabeth when we came and traffic was minimal.” Ruth added: “Everything was close and everyone knew one another, everybody looked out for everybody else.”

The pair are dedicated members and volunteers of the Playford community. The family were members of the new Central District Football Club shortly after it was formed in the mid-1960s, played social tennis and were involved in many other local activities.

Max has been a member of the Elizabeth, now Playford Bowling Club, for 28 years, is on the Probus Club of Elizabeth committee and was a member of the local Neighbourhood Watch group for 26 years. Ruth still enjoys ten pin bowling and has been committee member of the Central District Ladies Auxiliary for 25 years. The pair both still enjoy their gardening and are also members of the Elizabeth Garden Club.

Both Max and Ruth like their life in Elizabeth and agreed it was ideal for their family with everything they needed nearby. “Playford Bowling Club is just around the corner, Central District is next door, Ruth’s bowling is just over the bridge, our shops are there and doctors around the corner,” Max said. “We never have to go to Adelaide to do anything, everything we need is here,” Ruth added.

The couple is truly one to admire, and we couldn’t miss the opportunity to ask them their advice on what makes a successful marriage. They both laughed and agreed it was “compromise with a bit of give and take”.