The right fit – The Carsons celebrate 49 years of marriage
GEOFF AND ANN CARSON HAVE SHARED ALMOST FIVE DECADES OF LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND ADVENTURE. NOW, AS THEY SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW HOME AT GEMLIFE MORETON BAY, THE COUPLE IS EXCITED FOR THEIR NEXT CHAPTER.
Geoff and Ann met in their hometown of Newcastle, New South Wales.
“Ann’s father was my boss in the army, so while we have been married for 49 years, I’ve actually known her for nearly 60 years,” Geoff said.
Ann fondly recalls making the first move.
“Geoff was visiting Dad as they were friends, and he just happened to walk through the door as I was wondering who I could take to a dance. I said, ‘you’re just what I need!”
Their relationship blossomed, and after two years they tied the knot on 13 December, 1975 at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Gateshead, Newcastle.
Geoffrey remembers it being a hot day – though for more reasons than just the weather!
“Geoff rang me just before I was about to leave in the car to go to the church and in a panic, he yelled, ‘don’t leave yet, don’t leave until I ring you’, and he hung up,” Ann laughed.
“As it turned out, the suit he’d hired didn’t fit so he had to find one from his wardrobe.
“About 20 minutes later, my dad picks up the phone with Geoff’s best man saying ‘go, go, go!’. It was quite a funny day!”
The day’s small dramas only added to its charm, and the couple has carried that sense of humour and resilience throughout their marriage. Geoffrey even considers number 13 as his lucky number.
Over the years, the couple lived in many places throughout Australia due to Geoffrey’s army career. They have two children – a son Chris, now 45, and a daughter Kate, 40 – and are proud grandparents to six grandchildren, aged 10 to 18.
When asked about the secret to their successful marriage, Geoff jokes, “just always say ‘it’s my fault’ and always apologise.”
They both agree that teamwork is essential.
“We don’t make decisions unless they’re joint decisions – just like moving into GemLife, although it took Geoff a little longer to adapt to the idea,” Ann said.
In August 2024, they made the move from Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast into GemLife Moreton Bay where they eagerly await the completion of the community’s facilities.
Ann is looking forward to going to the resort’s gym and doing Pilates classes on site, while Geoff knows he’ll enjoy playing pool and snooker in the games room.
On what will always be remembered as a lucky date, the couple celebrated their 49th anniversary on Friday, 13 December, at Tempest Seafood Restaurant in Scarborough. They toasted to a future full of fun, travel adventures, and more seafood dinners!