FOR Wally Cuss, it was the gamble that paid off.
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In 1944 the WWII soldier had to sheepishly tell Audrey Cuss, nee Howling, he couldn’t afford to take her to the pictures after losing his money in a game of cards.
More than seven decades since she paid for that first date, the couple are celebrating a milestone anniversary.
Mr and Mrs Cuss sat hand in hand at a bridal table at Wodonga’s Estia Health on Friday.
With a solo saxophonist and couples waltzing, the atmosphere harked back to the sounds of yesteryear.
Their anniversary cake was even cut with the same knife from their wedding.
Their great love was present when the pair shared a kiss, despite Mrs Cuss telling her husband that was all he’d get for the next 12 months.
After marrying in 1945, the couple had two children and moved from England to Australia before Mrs Cuss gave birth to another three.
They lived in West Footscray before moving to Yackandandah and eventually Wodonga.
Mrs Cuss said they had spent a lot of time apart as newlyweds as Mr Cuss fought in the war.
She remembered feeling delighted as she waited at the train station for him to come home.
Tears came to her eyes during their anniversary celebrations and she said it had been overwhelming.
“I didn’t really think it had been 70 years,” she said.
The pair’s daughter Wendy Jacob said she couldn’t believe her parents had made it this far.
She put their longevity down to Mr Cuss’ favourite quote; don’t go to bed with a hot tongue or a cold bum.
“They never went to sleep angry and I think that’s part of their secret,” she said.
