The couple celebrated with a surprise Golden Anniversary lunch at the Cranbourne RSL. Back row from left; Grandson Benjamin Honey, son Chris Orr, daughter Michelle Orr and son-in-law Bevan Honey. Front row; Grandson Daniel Honey, with the happy couple Joan and Arthur Orr. 87374 Pictures: DONNA OATES
By BRIDGET SCOTT
WHEN asked how she met her husband of 50 years, Joan Orr said it was quite an unusual tale.
“It’s quite a funny story, actually,” she said.
“On the corner there used to be a bus pull up and over the other side of the road there was an old house,” Joan said.
Each morning, the teenager would stand on the corner and wait for her bus, watching hordes of children exit the house, each going in their own directions.
“I went home and told my mum there was a boarding house,” she said laughing.
However, Joan quickly learnt this was not the case at all, but a house which hosted 15 children, all brothers and sisters.
One day, when waiting for the bus like usual, Joan struck conversation with her husband-to-be’s sister and was invited over.
“The evening I went over Arthur was there, and it just sort of went on from there,” she said.
Just over 50 years ago, on 5 October, Joan was married to Arthur at St John’s Church in Mitcham, where the couple were the first people to be allowed a marriage in this church despite not being catholic.
They said it wasn’t a big wedding, mainly family, however with all of Arthur’s siblings in attendance, this made for a larger than usual gathering.
“A couple of family, but I had seven brothers and seven sisters,” Arthur said.
The newlyweds then celebrated their wedding with a honeymoon in Lakes Entrance and have since had two children – Michelle and Christopher.
However two of their own kids didn’t seem enough for the couple, as they get set to foster their 99th child later this year.
After deciding to be foster parents approximately 10 years after they were married, their first foster child was born on their wedding anniversary, 5 October, 41 years ago.
The uniqueness of the couple’s connection shone through when they effortlessly raised 98 children before they went off to various adoption families.
Age is no barrier for the couple as they prepare to take in another child shortly.
What Arthur remarked as being Joan’s hobby, she said it was a joint effort.
“I couldn’t do it without his support and help,” she said.
With these factors attributing to what has been a long and happy marriage for the pair, the couple agreed there were a few other things which lend a hand in a successful life together.
“You have to be supportive,” Joan said.
Arthur said it’s about being accepting.
“You just have to love each other and be tolerant,” Arthur said.
However both of the Cranbourne residents resonated with the fact that what they have unique connection.
“It’s hard to describe, but we just click,” Joan said.
