'It's all ours'

They met when she was a marching girl and he was a piper.

Now, long-standing Albert Town residents Ralph and Ethel Templeton are celebrating 60 years of marriage.

Mrs Templeton (nee Mawhinney) told the Otago Daily Times yesterday they were married at the Wakari Presbyterian Church on March 27, 1954, when she, aged 21, was a machinist for Moodie and Sons in Dowling St, Dunedin.

Her husband, then aged 23, was serving his apprenticeship at the Hillside Railway Workshops.

Mrs Templeton said she and a friend had joined the Wakari Marching Team and were ''very keen'' on the bagpipes. Mr Templeton happened to be a piper in the Burns Highland Pipe Band.

After the couple married, Mr Templeton joined the family-owned engineering business of Templeton and Sons, which has been operating in the Wanaka-Albert Town area for almost 120 years.

Their son Garry still operates the business.

The couple have three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

They have already celebrated their anniversary with family but are expecting visitors at their Albert Town home throughout today.

Mrs Templeton said a long marriage required tolerance and sharing.

''Nothing is yours or mine. It's all ours.'' Mr Templeton agreed.