It was 52 years ago when Helen first laid eyes on Ton Grooteman, now her husband of 50 years.
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They had met at a Saturday night dance at The Rivoli in Parramatta.
As Helen walked in with a friend, she spotted Ton. Helen thought Ton was quite the snappy dresser with special appreciation of his beige shoes.
Although, as she spent the night trying to catch his eye, she noticed he was avoiding her.
"He'd look up and look away," Helen recalled.
"He was worried he'd get attached."
Ton, who was from Holland, was only in Australia on a trade program for two years.
Coincidentally Helen was also from Holland. She had moved over with her parents when aged eight, five years after the war had ended, on a 10 pound passage. As the night progressed, barn dances started in a horse shoe formation.
During the dance Helen approached Ton, and this time he could not look away.
As it turns out, he never wanted to and two years later they were married.
They fondly remember their wedding day as filled with Dutch song and dance and special visitors, including Ton's parents who had never visited Australia.
In their time living and working in Sydney, Helen was a dividend calculator at the races and Ton worked in the metal trade.
Ton knew he was a "country boy at heart" and they moved to Kundle Kundle to build a house and raise their two daughters, Monique and Naomi.
In 1997, the family voyaged to Holland for a 10 week holiday.
It was the girls' first time in Holland, and they got to meet an abundance of family at various celebrations, including Ton's parents 50th wedding anniversary.
To celebrate their own 50th, Monique and Naomi organised a surprise party for their parents.
Here they were joined with their family and friends, to celebrate a strong and happy marriage.
The secret to a long marriage they jokingly say is lots of arguments.
Ton and Helen are both heavily involved in the Manning Valley community.
Ton worked at Goninans (under its various names) from 1979 to 1997.
Helen and Ton each have contributed to Camp Quality and local multicultural groups.
Helen is an active member of the Taree Arts Council, and is noted for her great organisational skills, especially with props.
Ton sings in Sea View Singers, U3A and the Choral society.
Helen and Ton's two daughters are Monique Cahill and Naomi Grooteman. They have three grandchildren, Naomi's sons Galen, Rohan and Oliver Wiseman.