By Esther Lauaki
Music brought Maria and Fernando Chilco together and 60 years later the two are inseparable.
The Hoppers Crossing couple hit some major milestones in the past week, celebrating Maria’s 84th birthday on Tuesday, followed by the pair’s diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday.
The couple were from migrant families who settled in Perth – Fernando a Croatian refugee from Italy and Maria from Holland.
They met in their 20s through a friend.
“I befriended another Dutch girl while I was working in Perth and used to stay at her place on the weekends,” Maria said.
“One day she said to me, I want you to meet some Italian friends … Fernando was one of two boarders staying at her friend’s house.
“We spent one Saturday afternoon with them and Fernando walked me home.
“He learned that I loved music … he loved it too and we would go to concerts together.”
Maria said she was nervous to introduce Fernando to her mother.
“I knew my mother wanted me to marry someone Dutch,” she said.
“When my mother met Fernando, she thought he was the end of the earth … just wonderful.
“He still is today.”
They married on October 17, 1959 before family and friends in Perth.
The Chilcos have two children and three grandchildren.
They celebrated their anniversary with their family at The Views in Werribee South on Sunday.
