married at the Cobar Presbyterian Church 50 years ago.
Locals Judith and Werner Muhlethaler quietly celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 11 only marking the occasion with the exchange of a recycled anniversary card.
Daughter Krista Bowkett said unfortunately due to the current COVID-19 situation, their celebration with friends and family has been put on hold as they bunker down in isolation.
“As mum has a compromised immune system due to her battle with breast cancer, sending them even flowers or presents is a risk.
“So FaceTime calls and messages are the best we can do at this stage,” Krista said.
“They had a quiet day at home with no fanfare as my parents do.”
Krista said the recycled anniversary card is something her environmentally conscious mother had been doing for years.
The anniversary date is a contentious one in the family and for many years the couple hasn’t been able to agree whether their wedding date was the 9th, 10th or the 11th.
“I think they have chosen to celebrate it a different day each year,” Krista said.
Judith (nee Mitchell) was a local Cobar girl and Werner was a “blow-in” from Switzerland.
“They met at local dance in 1969, which was the old Town Hall (Cobar Cinema),” according to Krista.
“My dad danced with my mum’s sister and asked my mum to dance and she wasn’t keen.
“In fact she really didn’t like my dad to start with.”
Judith however did change her mind about Werner and the couple were married at the Cobar Presbyterian Church in 1970 (on April 9, 10 or 11) followed by a reception at the Copper City Motel.
They set up a life in Cobar where they raised their family, owned and operated several businesses and have been a big part of the Cobar community for decades.
“They have survived 50 years of marriage with many laughs, many arguments and dad living by the mantra: ‘She who is to be obeyed’,” Krista joked.