Old relationships were remembered at a celebration in Dunedin yesterday.
More than 100 former Marriage Guidance and Relationship Services volunteers from around the South Island met in the Port Otago Lounge at the Edgar Centre to mark the 60th anniversary of the national organisation.
The gathering included Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, Act New Zealand MP Hilary Calvert, Family Court judge Mary O'Dwyer and Relationship Services chief executive Jeff Sanders, of Wellington.
"We've got former counsellors, members of the executive, supervisors, managers and administrators," Relationship Services Dunedin area manager Howard Randal said.
"It's a chance for everyone to catch up and reminisce."
Marriage Guidance Dunedin was founded in 1948 and preceded the national organisation by two years, he said.
It was hoped to contact former volunteers who had worked with the Dunedin organisation.
"Until 15 years ago, Relationship Services was known as Marriage Guidance and we're keen to get in touch with the counsellors and volunteers who were involved in running Marriage Guidance Dunedin," Mr Randal said.
"We realise that some of these folk may no longer be resident in Otago or Southland, but we'd like to ensure that those that do are able to join us. Those highly-trained counsellors and tutors established an organisation which became an integral part of the community. We'd like to acknowledge that by inviting them to join us in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the national organisation."
The 60th anniversary of the first annual general meeting of Relationship Services will be in Christchurch on November 22.
