Having met at a dance in their native Glasgow, they married on August 20, 1954, sailing three years later for Australia with their twin son and daughter.
Three more daughters were born in Perth, where Mr McLean (81) spent 21 years with Hamersley Iron, including seven years at Tom Price, followed by 10 years with the WA Health Department.
Working in the mining company’s supply department, he set up a computerised catalogue system which was to become the industry standard.
Later, he set up a similar system for five public hospitals and helped establish a Tafe course on supply cataloguing, serving as course lecturer for eight years.
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READ NOWWife Anne (80) had various jobs from motel manager in Tom Price to boutique owner to hospital ward clerk and outpatients’ clerk at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
The couple, retired since 1997, celebrated their 60th anniversary with their five children, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, enjoying messages from the Queen, Governor General and Prime Minister.
‘Family has always played an important part in their lives and they delight in the sheer joy, love and pride their children and grandchildren have for them,’ daughter Jacqui Louth said.