Harold and Dossie Corben, have celebrated their 72^nd wedding anniversary with family and friends.

The couple were married at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Wagga on October 25, 1947.

Harold said they were "childhood sweethearts" who met when they were 15 years old while attending school; Dossie was at Wagga High School and himself at Christian Brothers.

Dossie's family insisted that they had to wait to be married until she was 21 on December 2, but the family were persuaded that it would be too hot and the wedding was brought forward.

The couple has lived in Wagga their whole lives, and are the proud parents of Beverley and Wendy. They also count themselves lucky to have five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

"The highlight of our lives was having wonderful children," the pair said.

Harold had a passion for carpentry and joinery, but then later was a flight engineer in the Royal Australian Air Force. He was part of the B-24 liberator crew based at Morotai in the Maluka Islands in Indonesia.

Harold then worked in technical and administrative roles with the Post Master General until his retirement.

Dossie performed clerical work with the Peters Ice Cream company, St Andrews Church and local businesses.

The happy couple were active in their community, with Harold serving for 35 years with the Wagga Fire Brigade, and Dossie working with St Andrews Church, the Junior Eisteddfod Committee, The Haven Blue Birds and the Girl Guides Trefoil Guild.

Throughout their life, Dossie and Harold have loved travelling around Australia in their caravan, particularly enjoying Western Australia and the challenge of dirt roads through the centre of Australia.

"My favourite thing about Dossie has been just being with her all this time," Harold said.

Dossie said the key to a happy marriage is "give and take".

"And enjoying each other's company and being understanding of one another," Harold added.

The duo celebrated their 72nd second anniversary at The Haven with fellow residents and staff.

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