From a fish and chips first date to 53 years together
After more than five decades together, Pam and Elwyn Beresford still know the secret to making life, and love, work.
A spark from the very beginning
The couple first met as teenagers in the tiny southern New Zealand town of Riverton where Pam was born and raised. Introduced through Pam’s sister and one of Elwyn’s friends, the pair went on a blind date for fish and chips at a local bistro when they were just 16 years old.
“There was obviously a spark because he kept coming back,” Pam laughed.
“We just clicked. It was his mannerisms and kindness.”
For Elwyn, the feeling was instant.
“There was just a spark straight away,” he said.
Now, 53 years later, the couple are still side-by-side – this time at BlueCare’s Acacia Gardens Retirement Village in Toowoomba, where they’ve found the perfect base for the lifestyle they love most: travelling Australia in their camper van.
“We’ve been together a long time and we’ve had our ups and downs like everyone,” Elwyn said. “You just need to work through things if there’s a problem and sort it out and get on with it.”
Pam agrees the foundation of their relationship has always been shared values and growing together through life’s many chapters.
“We were so young when we met and we’ve grown together,” she said. “We’ve worked hard all our lives and always had common values.”
A life built together
Their life together has taken them across countries, careers and countless kilometres. They welcomed their two children, Debbie and David, while still young themselves, later becoming proud grandparents to two grandchildren.
“We’ve been blessed with a wonderful son-in-law and daughter-in-law too,” Pam said.
Over the years, the couple have lived and worked across both New Zealand and Australia. Pam worked in hospitals and factories, while Elwyn – who left school at just 13 years old – followed his passion for farming, welding and life on the land.
“We had a good life on the farm,” Pam said. “There was freedom. Elwyn came from a farming background and he’d still be there today if he could.”
The couple farmed sheep, cattle and deer before eventually returning to Australia, where their love of travel then truly began.
“We’ve travelled extensively around Australia – there’s not many places we haven’t been,” Elwyn said.
The pair proudly keep a map marking the many towns and destinations they’ve explored together over the years.
“I’ve been a gypsy my whole life,” Elwyn joked.
More freedom for the next adventure
Their move to Acacia Gardens Retirement Village has made continuing that lifestyle easier than ever. With home and garden maintenance taken care of, the couple can simply lock up their home, jump in the camper van and head off on their next adventure knowing everything will be looked after while they’re away.
For Pam and Elwyn, retirement living has given them more freedom to focus on what matters most – making special memories together.
“If you don’t do it, it gets to the stage when you can’t do it,” Elwyn said. “So make the most of doing as much as you can in life while you can.”
And after 53 years together, they still have one final piece of advice for a happy marriage.
“Put in the effort and work things out,” Pam said with a smile.
“And it helps to have your own interests too. I like the kitchen to myself.”