Wedding re-run

By Kath Gannaway
THE opportunity to have their entire wedding party together after 50 years, was one too good to miss for Warburton couple, Norm and Joan Way.
The couple were married at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Warburton on 20 May, 1956.
Joan’s nieces, Joan and Nollene Lambert, were junior bridesmaids, and Nollene returned to Melbourne from her home in the United States in April to join the celebrations.
The date of the anniversary party was brought forward so everyone who played a role in their day of days could again be part of it.
The Ways’ best man, Max Mitchell, and bridesmaid, Joy Ulrich (now Darko), joined the celebrations at the Rustic Charm Restaurant.
Even the wedding photographer and his assistant, Ivan Goldsmith, and his wife, Olive, were there to recreate the moment.
Mr and Mrs Lay both attended the Adventist School before starting work at Signs Publishing, where Norm worked for 52 years on the graphic printer and Joan was an addressograph operator.
They raised their son, Dean, and daughter, Linda, in the town and have been active members of the community as members of the SES, Red Cross and other community groups.
Common interests – including skiing, which the Ways have enjoyed together since their teenage years, a commitment to each other’s happiness, and being good friends – are just three of the ingredients in their long and happy marriage.
“We have been surrounded by good friends, good family and a very supportive community,” Mr Way said to the very large gathering of those very same people.