They both believe in the principles of the Prayer to Serenity and said it was an important part of marriage to accept things you cannot change.
The pair met via her uncle, who worked with Mr Graham on the railway in Tokonui, south of Invercargill.
They were introduced when he visited her parent's house in Invercargill. Mrs Graham was attracted to his determination and Mr Graham "just liked her as a woman".
They dated whenever he came into town.
They remember their wedding day as a sunny spring day just like yesterday. Her father made sure she got to the church on time for the early 9.30am ceremony so they could catch the 1.30pm train for their first-class trip to the North Island.
Their marriage was testing at times, but they still share a cheeky joke between themselves and enjoy their seven children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
"I love babies," Mrs Graham said and added both she and Mr Graham were from families of seven.
They banned their friends and family from buying anniversary gifts, but their living room was full of cards and flowers yesterday.
Alice said they were doing "nothing terribly exciting" for their anniversary and were waiting for family to arrive in town for celebrations on Saturday night.
