CARINGBAH couple Jack and Betty Slack have shared a lifetime's commitment, going back to when they first met as pupils at Arncliffe Primary School.
Mr and Mrs Slack recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends at Chambers Restaurant at Sutherland.
"While we have been married for 60 years, we have probably known each other for 70 years,'' Mr Slack said.
They started going out together when they were 17 and were married on April 3, 1948, at St David's Anglican Church, Arncliffe, and raised their three children, John, Bronwyn and David, before moving to Oatley, Melbourne, and then Sutherland Shire where they have lived for the past 22 years.
Mr Slack trained as a chemical engineer at Standard Telephones and Cables, retiring as a director of the company. They travelled overseas extensively to Europe, the US, China and Japan.
Both stayed active, playing golf and tennis for many years with Illawarra Lawn Tennis Association where Mr Slack was vice-president of the northern branch of the association and tournament secretary.
Now both 83, they have nine grandchildren and are expecting their first great-grandchild in August.
Mr Slack said the secret of a long and happy marriage was to have love and patience as well as a good family.
"We are as happy now as when we first met,'' he said.