However, when Allen and Pat Heriot started chatting with one another at a social picnic, little did they realise they would still be together more than 60 years later.

The Werribee couple celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow, but marked their magical milestone with family and friends last Sunday.

It all started after a reunion and debutante party of students at Francis Street State School, from which emerged a social group which would often go on outings and to dances at the Yarraville Club. Mr Heriot said it was at one of these gatherings where the couple started their lifelong partnership.

"We just seemed to click,"

he said.

"When we were going out we would be at the pictures at the Sun Theatre every Saturday night and share a box of scorched almonds – it became a ritual."

The Heriots were married on February 4, 1950, at the Church of England in Yarraville and went to Apollo Bay for their honeymoon.

While the first few years were spent in a double bungalow at Mrs Heriot's aunt's house in Oak Park, they eventually moved around the west.

They then moved to Werribee, where they have been for 30 years ago.

After leaving school at 14, Mrs Heriot took up a job as a weaver with clothing company Dickies until the birth of the couple's first daughter.

Following a 25-year career with the State Electricity Corporation, Mr Heriot was maintenance manager on the West Gate Bridge.

He also served as a handyman at many of Wyndham's schools until his retirement. They had two daughters who they love to spend time with, along with their two grandchildren.

Mr Heriot said the couple shared many interests.

"We've always loved to travel, especially with our daughters. When they were young we would take the caravan on holidays and make lots of friends.

"As a couple, we also enjoyed going to theatre and dances together. Our family has always been very close - we still have a get-together every December with about 50 or 60 of us."

Mrs Heriot said that in their younger days, she delighted watching her future husband's sporting exploits. "He played hockey and cricket, and one day bowled out the whole team. Eventually, he became president of the Footscray Hockey Club and was one of the foundation members of the Werribee Park Golf Club. We've had lots of fun and laughs with one another and with our family – we've been very lucky."