Mr and Mrs McInnes, who celebrate their wedding anniversary tomorrow, have been heavily involved with many community organisations.
Mr McInnes (83) was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for community service and a Waitaki citizens award in 2002, while Mrs McInnes (81) received an MBE in 1987.
"I really believe that's why we're here today, because we helped people and enjoyed it," Mr McInnes said.
The couple met at dances in the Dunedin Town Hall and married in the Abbotsford Methodist Church on August 31, 1948.
They moved to Oamaru where Mr McInnes worked as a wheel-tapper on the railways and later in the office in the goods sheds.
Mrs McInnes, nee Penson, was a home executive for 20 years, worked at Fernbrook and Oamaru Intermediate schools as a secretary and taught speech and drama. She was ordained a deacon in the Methodist Church in 1990.
Both were no strangers to call-outs in the night, when Mr McInnes was a volunteer ambulance officer and Mrs McInnes a welfare officer, police matron and victim support volunteer.
Many other community groups and organisations benefited from their input.
Their 60 years together had been "great", with ups and downs which were part of life.
The couple have two daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
