The pair met as teenagers.
Bev’s brother was running a St John evening at the old Ormond Hall and she had the prime position of being seated stage front.
She remembers looking out in the crowd to “see if anyone interesting” was there and her eyes latched on to Arnold.
The rest is diamond history.
Arnold, 82, was born and raised at Kaiteratahi and recalls witnessing some significant events over his time such as the 1948 flood where after three days of heavy rain the Taruheru and Waikanae rivers overflowed their banks.
“I remember waking up to see my shoes floating around the room. My sister piggy-backed me out to get to higher ground.”
His working life included being head meter reader for the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board for almost 20 years and floor manager at the Peter Pan ice cream factory.
Ranfurly-born Bev’s career path was in retail — Rosies, Lands for Bags, Beehive and department store Melbourne Cash.
Arnold first worked in general merchant store Common Shelton & Co.
He started in the grocery department and rose up the ranks to management level and was transferred to Woodville following a company amalgamation with Hawke’s Bay Farmers.
“I went from the most northerly branch to the most southerly,” he said.
Family ill-health brought the Hutchins back to Gisborne.
They ran Sparrows dairy and and Arnold worked for Openshaws supermarket for about four years.
Bev then managed the Aberdeen Road superette while Arnold worked as a courier driver for The Gisborne Herald, driving to and from Matawai.
Both are now retired and are keen gardeners while Arnold recently stepped down from a six-year presidency of Gisborne Senior Citizens Association.
Hospital appointments have dominated their diary for the last 18 months,
“We’ve been through the mill,” said Arnold, who has just thrown away his sticks after suffering debilitating arthritis.
Both are hopeful they are in the clear now and are looking ahead.
“Onwards and upwards,” says Arnold.
When asked if they would be exchanging gifts, Bev was emphatic. “Yes, Arnold will be buying me a diamond ring for our 60th.”
“We’ll see”, Arnold replied. “It takes us all that time to get uptown.”
Of their lengthy marriage, the pair said “we’ve had our ups and downs” and have enjoyed family life.
“None of our children have ever given us any trouble. They’ve been wonderful kids.”
They are celebrating their anniversary with extended family at Mangaone Station, Tolaga Bay, which grandson Nick Land owns and runs.
“Alone we can do so little but together we can do so much,” the Hutchins family say.
The couple acknowledged their parents — George and Florence Hutchins and Donald and Florence McMillan.
