The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale surprised a couple who are in their nineties with a very special variable message sign on Saturday.
On September 23, Serpentine couple John and Mona Hawkes celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary at the Serpentine Tavern, marking the milestone with their friends, family, children and great grand children sharing a family lunch at the tavern.
They also received certificates from the Queen, the Governor General and the Prime Minster to commemorate their special day.
With the help of the couple’s granddaughter Melanie Hawkes, the shire was able to surprise the couple with a congratulatory message.
The sign read, ‘John and Mona Hawkes, congrats on 70 years of marriage.’
Mr and Mrs Hawkes first met in 1944 and were married in 1947.
They moved from the UK to Western Australia in the 1960s and have lived in Gosnells, Rockingham and for a number of years have lived in Serpentine.
Residents have taken to Facebook to congratulate the couple.
One woman wrote “Awesome, only got 39 years to catch up”, another woman wrote “Many blessings” and another said “Congratulations you lovelies.”
The couple told The Examiner the secret to a successful marriage was wine, compromise and true love.
They also said they have lived a good life together and have been good to one another.
