A Diamond Anniversary Toast and 5 Outstanding Achievements

This is the speech by Greg Hawkins to close family and friends at the Diamond Anniversary afternoon tea, Malvernvale Hotel, Malvern, 2018.

Greg Hawkins

I officially welcome you all to the 60 year wedding anniversary celebration of Margaret Jean and Frank Adrian.

Now 60 years indeed, across this incredible life and partnership journey, we still have them standing here, upright!!, keeping fit, and social, and with generally sound mind (unless of course football, labour politics and trams are involved). You would have to call this a blessing indeed.

Just to go back a few years:
In the post World War 2 glow, a young buck from Brunswick (via St Pat's College) met a hot chick from Moonee Ponds (via St Columbus) and a spark was ignited. An itch was scratched.
Any way, after not too much time the tentacles of love had wrapped around them and the merger (via marriage) occurred at Saint Monica's Church in Moonee Ponds.

Tom and Cassie Hawkins, Margaret and Frank, Jean and Charlie Buckley 4/10/58

Frank Kainey and Pat Fraser were both in the Wedding Party

Now this was not a simple merger: It was the merger of the larger Hawkins clan and the smaller Buckley clan. It was the attempted merger of the the Carlton Football Club and the Essendon Football Club. It was the joining of the carpenter and the secretary. It was a coming together of mind and body that across a 60 year journey can only be measured by its achievements of which I have listed some:

• Outstanding Achievement 1 - 60 years of mum living with dad!! No, 60 years of togetherness in marriage in itself, perhaps the ultimate achievement?

Frank responded to Greg's toast. Margaret added that she was looking
 forward to the arrival of their first great grandchild, the next generation..

• Outstanding Achievement 2 - Child 1, 2 and 3 A teacher, a nurse and a manager. Raised as pretty sensible, caring and committed kids who enjoyed a happy family life with their parents who were always there for them, from Blackburn to Sunshine to Springvale to Surrey Hills to North Balwyn (and Sorrento) to Box Hill to Deepdene.

Jenny, Cathy, Frank, Margaret and Greg

• The further achievement here is being a great and available Omie and Opie to Melissa, Chantelle, Natalie, William, Kellie, Ella, Zach and Luke.

William, Natalie & Kelly, Chantelle & Melissa, Ella, Zach & Luke with Margaret & Frank

• Outstanding Achievement 3 - Building their own businesses, whether it be building and carpentry, or various retail shops, they reflected hard work and good thinking and relationships well managed.

• Outstanding Achievement 4 - staying together after the 1999 Essendon V Carlton preliminary final

• Outstanding achievement 5 - being surrounded and supportive of good family and friends, being social, being committed to friendships of many years and for new ones along the journey

Of course there are many achievements and challenges across 60 years, but they have climbed life’s mountain together and deserve to enjoy the view.

I ask that you please charge your glasses and join me in a toast for 60 years of marriage - to Margaret and Frank!!