Margaret: Hi James, I'm Margaret. Happily retired, I'm now 62. We've lived in Evanston Park for 32 years. Originally, we were both born in England and were brought out here by our parents, though at different times. We were brought up in Salisbury and brought together through St. John Ambulance, and we've been married now for 45 years. We've also been in the same house for 32 years.

James: Oh, wow, 45 years! That's incredible. And you both came from England?

David: Yes, hi James, I’m David Unsworth. I was born in England too. I came over here when I was about seven. We lived in Elizabeth for a bit, then moved up to Gawler for a few years, and eventually settled into this house.

James: I usually live down in Mawson Lakes, and I was looking at buying a house, which is why I visited Gawler. I noticed it feels like a town with a lot of history—it must've been pretty bustling back in the day?

David: Yes, exactly. Gawler used to be a mix of town and country. It was midway between Adelaide and the north, like Gawler and Port Augusta, so it was quite a transient place. There were factories, a flour mill, a machinery workshop, and lots of surrounding farms. It’s changed so much—now, there are no factories, just new housing developments, and land prices have gone up a lot.

James: Yeah, I can see that happening across Adelaide too. It seems like people are moving further north, which might make Gawler even busier soon.

Margaret: Definitely. The Main North Road wasn’t as busy when we first moved here. There were no traffic lights in Gawler, no KFC or McDonald’s, and cafes were unheard of! Between here and Trinity, and even up to Blake's Crossing, it was all just paddocks and farmland.

James: That’s amazing. So, how did you both meet, and what first drew you to each other?

Margaret: We first met at St. John Ambulance in Elizabeth. I was volunteering, and David was volunteering there for a short time as well.

David: Yes, we had a mutual friend who was also volunteering, so we’d spend a bit of time together around him.

Margaret: David got to know my older sister first. He thought she was nice, but she was already going out with his friend! Eventually, he met me through her, and we just started spending time together playing chess.

James: Playing chess! That’s such a classic way to get to know each other. People usually go for movies or dinner dates now.

Margaret: It was definitely different back then! David’s parents had a poultry farm, so he would come by our house to deliver eggs, and we’d play chess together. I was only 14 at the time, and David was five years older, so it was quite innocent—just spending time together.

James: So, when did you two finally get married?

Margaret: We got married on June 9th, 1979. I was 17, and David was 22. We married in Salisbury, where my family was part of the Catholic parish.

James: What has kept you both together and supported each other all these years?

David: I think part of it is just that over time, you naturally mold together. You learn each other’s likes and dislikes and focus on making each other happy. Compromise is key, and we avoid doing things that would upset each other. Communication and compromise are essential.

Margaret: Yes, we’re Christian, and our faith has played a big role in keeping us grounded and grateful. Contentment has also been essential. We’ve raised three children, have four grandchildren, and do a lot of activities together. We do enjoy time apart as well but have built a life where we genuinely enjoy each other’s company.

James: That’s beautiful. So, what do you hope others see in your relationship as an example of true love?

Margaret: I hope people see the strength of compromise. We have friends and family who are divorced, and they often tell us they envy what we have. I think what we’ve built is something that shows patience, understanding, and dedication.

For me, this interview was quite a moving experience. I believe that their faith and gratitude have been the driving forces behind a beautiful and happy marriage. Now, they are leaving the home they've grown attached to and beginning a new journey. I wholeheartedly support the next chapter of their lives and pray for many more beautiful days to come. James Jang