Community & Business
11 June, 2025
Celebrating 60 years
MAREEBA locals Dick and Eileen Eussen are celebrating “60 years of bliss” this week and were congratulated by the King and Queen for their diamond wedding anniversary.
After two children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Dick and Eileen will mark their special occassion on Thursday.
The feat was recognised by King Charles and Queen Camilla, who gave them their “warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a happy occasion”.
The couple also received a certificates of congratulations from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, The Governor General of Australia, Samantha Mostyn, and Governor of Queensland Dr Jeanette Young.
A young Mr Eussen met Eileen (nee Wilson) in the 1960s in Mt Isa, which he described as “a rough mining town where men outnumbered women five to one”.
Yet he still managed to find his lifelong bride. The pair met at a dance and were married 18 months later.
“People often ask what the secret to a happy marriage is, but there isn’t one,” Eileen said.
“It’s all about lots of love, trust, respect and sharing a common bond based on those principles.
“Like any marriage we have had our ups and downs, disagreements and quarrels, but that stuff never lasts long and is soon forgotten.
“We are lucky to have each other, a lifetime bond and the joys of being together including helping each other in time of need.”
Dick agreed, saying: “Yes, that is what helped us both to keep it together, along with our children.
“The marriage promise of ‘in sickness and health’ has applied to both of us. We’ve had our share of having to care for each other in times of need.
“We just help each other. For instance, I help with the housework when needed, I suppose I am house trained,” he laughed.
The couple have called Mareeba home for the past 20 years and Eileen said, “we’d love another 20 of good health if that’s possible.”
