Limestone Coast farming couple Brian and Val Collins celebrate 70 years of love on the land

Every morning for the past decade, Brian Collins has brought his wife Val breakfast in bed.

Seventy years into their marriage, it is one of the many small ways he still shows he cares.

The couple, aged 92 and 89 respectively, are among the rare few in Australia who have made it to their platinum 70th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated earlier this month.

They met at a bus stop in the Adelaide Hills in 1952.

"I don't know how he knew that, but he was right."

In the early days, Val said they bonded over their love of horse riding.

The couple were married in 1956 when Brian was 22 and Val was 19.

The ceremony took place on a rainy Saturday evening so it would not clash with the day's football games.

"It poured, and poured and poured," Brian said.

Brian relocated to the South East of the state before the wedding to start working in the forestry industry.

The couple then lived in Nangwarry, Mount Burr and even New Guinea for a short time before eventually settling at Mount Schank where they started a cattle farm.

"We always wanted a farm right from the early days," Val said.

But farming can bring its challenges, especially with a young family.

"It wasn't easy in the beginning … I was still working [in forestry]," Brian said.

It was a whole family effort, according to Val, especially in those early years.

"Most wives are involved just as much. There was a lot to do," Val recalled.

Making a relationship last

For most couples, marriage comes with its challenges. Add in the demands of farming and running a business, and those pressures only grow.

So, what helps a relationship go the distance?

Mental health social worker Sarah Crosthwaite specialises in supporting farmers, growers and their families across Australia through her business Open Road Counselling.

"Marriages that I see that work really well, [are ones where] they communicate openly and honestly to each other," Sarah said.

"They show appreciation for each other … when we're working so closely together, we can forget to say those little things like please and thank you.

Over the past 18 months, Sarah has observed an increase in farmers seeking help for their relationships, which she believes is linked to increasing stress on farms.

Postdoctoral research fellow at Adelaide University Dr Chloe Fletcher said farmers faced unique challenges tied to both their work and lifestyle, including long hours and stressors outside their control.

Dr Fletcher helped put together a free online module for farmer wellbeing organisation ifarmwell on building healthy relationships.

"Often the farm is both the workplace and the family home, and your romantic partner may also be your business partner which can mean that those roles then become blurred," she said.

"It can be difficult to set clear boundaries between work and home life.

"Over time, this can create tension within the relationship."

Keeping things interesting

Brian and Val, now 92 and 89, said the years had passed quickly, and they were surprised to have already reached 70 years together.

They believed their marriage has endured because it was built on love, respect and compromise.

"We liked each other's company."

In 70 years, they have never had second thoughts about their marriage.

"No doubts about it," Brian said

They share a commitment to the local community, and a sense of adventure.

Both have been involved in numerous local organisations, including the Lions, Mount Gambier Saleyards, Mount Schank Anglican Church, sporting clubs and the Grant District Council.

Brian and Val have also travelled extensively around Australia by campervan, with photographs of their favourite places lining the walls of their home.

"There are not many places [in Australia] that come up on the television that we have not been to," Val said.

Providing a good example

The couple have four children — Sharon, Daryl, Leigh and Amanda — along with 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Granddaughter Sarah McKinnon said the milestone had been special for the entire family.

"I truly just think the life they've lived together is just so admirable," Sarah said.

"I feel very, very lucky to have them as my grandparents."

Sarah said their relationship had been a guiding example of what a healthy partnership looked like.

"They're great role models and I think of their relationship a lot," she said.

"The little things that they do for each other … It's simple things that mean the most to them."

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