By Tate Papworth
A fondness for fish and chips marked the beginning of a long and happy love story.
Sydenham couple Wendy Despott and Alfred “Fred” Despott celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month with family and friends.
The couple met in 1967.
Wendy, working at a fish and chip shop, and loyal customer Fred, would come in regularly for lunch.
They married two years later at Our Lady’s church on Ballarat Rd in Maidstone on October 18.
Wendy said the couple have stayed in the west their entire life.
“We lived in a flat in Footscray for a year, then we shifted into our first home in Deer Park and lived there for 23 years,” she said.
“Following that we brought a new home in Sydenham and we’ve been here 25 years.”
Wendy said the secret to a long and happy marriage is support and fun.
“The secret to our marriage is that we’ve always been there for each other.
“My advice to others is – don’t take each other for granted, support each other, laugh together and don’t take life too seriously. Have fun.”
While they’ve shared a life together, Wendy said they’ve both enjoyed their own interests.
“I was a house wife and Fred worked in the Printing Ink industry for 50 years until he retired.
“But we also had shared interests – we both love the football and have followed the Western bulldogs all our lives.
“Fred also enjoyed other sports, he played soccer for awhile and I use to do a lot of knitting.”
These days the couple are dedicated parents and grandparents.
“Our main love now is being there for our children and grandchildren,” she said.
“We have three children – two girls and one boy – and 17 grandchildren who range from 18 to one year-old.”
