'I've been driving her home ever since': Russells celebrate 61 years of marriage

It was in Tatura at a community event, and the next time they met - at the Presbyterian church - she recognised those eyes and they got talking.

“I wasn't hopelessly head over heels for him, I can't say it was love at first sight - you've got to try them out a bit,” she said laughing.

So, she gave Noel a chance, and more than 65 years and five children later, they're celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary.

Noel and Yvonne had several blocks across some 80ha at Tatura, and only gave it up several years ago to move to Shepparton when Noel was diagnosed with a heart condition.

Noel got to know Yvonne's father through irrigating, and when Yvonne came to the Presbyterian Church Noel went to, they got talking and he offered her a lift home.

“I've been driving her home ever since,” he said laughing.

He has - driving Yvonne home from Bendigo while she studied teaching, and then out past Numurkah, when she got a job.

Yvonne said she'd seen Noel before at a function in town.

Their first child Sharon died at 17 months old, while Stephen, Carl, Delia and Bruce all live in the Goulburn Valley.

Carl had a injury following a motorbike crash which had been complicated by deep vein thrombosis which caused a cardiac arrest.

The pair cared for him for seven years on the farm before it became too much and Noel and Yvonne got too old to provide the care he needed. He moved to Shepparton to live in 24-hour care.

It was a challenging time, but Noel and Yvonne said sticking through the tough times was what they did.

“You know we have a different opinion, like all couples, but we love one another, I've got no doubt, and there are going to be arguments but we get over (them) pretty quickly,” Noel said.

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