General News
31 July, 2025
Sixty years of love: Bill and Janet Ower still holding hands
Even after six decades together, Horsham couple, Bill and Janet Ower, still hold hands, smile, and make memories as if it’s 1965 again.
The couple, who tied the knot in Ballarat Central Uniting Church on July 31, 1965, celebrated their diamond anniversary at The Lake View Hotel in Ballarat on Sunday, July 27, with family, friends, grandchildren and some of the guests of their original wedding party.
"We were introduced to one another through a school friend of mine," Janet said.
"And that was probably about three years before we got married."
At the time of marriage, both of them were 24 years old.
Janet was a school teacher living in Ballarat, and Bill was working on his family’s farm near Wycheproof; however, he later moved to Deniliquin in New South Wales.
"Bill used to visit every three weeks," Janet said.
Their journey together for six decades is an example of love, teamwork and strong family ties.
"We’ve worked together as a team, made decisions as a team, and family has always been very important to us,” Janet said.
"It doesn’t seem like 60 years, and it doesn’t seem more than that long since we first met,” Bill said.
Now in their 80s, the couple have built a life full of meaningful memories in the past 60 years together by raising three children and enjoying the perks of grand parenthood.
Mr Ower is still working and runs his own real estate business.
He said the highlights of their journey are becoming parents and travelling overseas.
"The highlight of our journey is definitely the births of our three children and watching our family grow,” Bill said.
"We also travelled overseas together in 2013 and 2015, which was a promise I made to Janet after working overseas alone earlier in life.
"There were hard times, too; losing a grandchild to leukemia was one of the saddest moments of our lives,” Janet added.
Their go-to spots have also changed over the years, from strolls around Lake Wendouree in Ballarat before their marriage to weekend getaways in the Grampians, Halls Gap and Melbourne.
"Now, we enjoy the peace of home and visiting our family in Melbourne," Janet said.
While talking to The Mail-Times, both agreed that the secret of a happy marriage is love, care and commitment.
"Marriage is something you have to work on, and there are times one has to carry the load for the other," Bill said.
"It’s always been a team effort."
Ms Janet added, “You have to be committed, and you have to care we’ve grown and learned from each other.”
Talking about his partner, Bill says he still sees her as the same girl he married.
"She hasn’t changed much at all," he said.
"She’s still caring, has good judgment, and her cooking’s improved."
Janet said, "I feel very lucky that I’ve had a happy life, a good husband and a wonderful family."
When asked about the advice for young couples, Mr Ower summed it up very simply.
"It’s a partnership and you’ve got to love, care and make sure the other person’s happiness matters as much as your own," he said.
The couple has been living in Horsham for more than 50 years and expresses gratitude toward the community.
"Horsham has been our home for over 50 years – we found it a very friendly place and we’re grateful for that."
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