Cliff and Nance dance the anniversary waltz to the applause of their line-dancing friends.By Kath Gannaway
CLIFF and Nance McLaine dance beautifully together.
Whether it’s the anniversary waltz, or line dancing, the Healesville couple who celebrated their 60th anniversary on 17 July, are living life to the full.
Born and bred in Toolangi, where the couple have lived until recently, Cliff met his Box Hill beauty when he moved down the line to work.
“I think he came to Melbourne for three years to find someone to marry,” Nance teases.
They remember that their first date was in one of Melbourne’s beautiful gardens and a photograph taken on the day shows the teenagers all dressed up in their Sunday best for what turned out to be the start of a beautiful life together.
Cliff and Nance were married at St Mark’s Church of England in Camberwell in 1948.
They had a week’s honeymoon before moving to Toolangi.
“He drove me up to no electricity, flat irons, log fires and no street lights,” Nance recalls.
Cliff just smiles … it’s all true!
Life in Toolangi, however, turned out fine … there were always the stars to take the place of streetlights! They brought up their daughters Sheryl and Jennifer in Toolangi and became involved in community groups and committees from tennis and cricket to the local hall, health centre, school and more.
As they made their way into their weekly U3A line-dancing class last week, Cliff and Nance said togetherness had played a big part in maintaining a long and loving marriage.
“We both love ballroom dancing and travelling and we’ve played tennis for years together,” Nance said.
“We’ve had a lot of fun,” Cliff seconded.
