In 1954, the year after their wedding at the historic Tonbridge parish church, they set sail for a new life in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Robin’s birthplace.
Daughter Suzy Flight said her parents spent the early years farming before moving to the city to pursue careers as civil servants.
‘Robin was deputy auditor-general and director of administration for the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association and Anne was a tourism warden with the National Parks of Zimbabwe until they retired in 1993 and 1992 respectively,’ she said.
‘In 1994, Ann was approached by a UK-based company to be included in an EEC-sponsored contract in Botswana for the tourism component of the project.
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READ NOW‘This was to give them, in their 60s, nearly six of the best years of their lives.’
The couple migrated to Australia in 2004, embracing a quieter lifestyle and time with their three children and eight grandchildren. Robin enjoys travelling to new places and Anne has published two books of memoirs about the national parks of Zimbabwe and her time in Botswana.
The couple, who will soon move to Tapping, will celebrate their diamond wedding with a family gathering on March 28.