Carmel changed Arthur's life plans
ARTHUR Bracey was a "10 pound Pom" who was only meant to stay in Australia for two years until he fell in love with Carmel.
The devoted Raceview couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday.
"I tried not to get involved," Mr Bracey said jokingly.
The pair met in 1951 at a cafe in Cobram, Victoria, where Mrs Bracey once worked.
It was love at first sight.
"We went out together for 12 months then we were engaged," Mrs Bracey said.
But the engagement almost didn't happen.
"We went to Melbourne to get the engagement ring and Arthur had lost his wallet," she said. "Eventually we found it behind the couch."
They were married at St Joseph's Church at Cobram in 1953 and moved to Ipswich in 1965.
Mrs Bracey worked as a registered nurse, while Mr Bracey carted milk for a living.
The pair raised eight children and now shared 15 grand children and 11 great grand children.
The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with friends and family on Saturday.
