When Presilia and Albert Bussac were choosing an aged care home, the one thing that mattered most was that they remain together.
“They say we are joined at the hip because we are always holding hands,” says Albert.
Originally from South Africa, the two of them met in the 1950s when they were just teenagers at a dance at Albert’s cricket club.
“It was love at first sight,” says Presilia. “We danced the whole evening and as soon as I got home, I said to my mum that I’d met the man of my dreams. She said, ‘Listen to me darling, you’re too young to make a decision like that.’”
Married in 1959 when Presilia was 19 and Albert 21, the couple have now been together for 67 years. Nearly seven decades on, they consider themselves blessed to still be side by side, living together at our Monash Gardens community in Mulgrave.
“It means the world to us that we can stay together here,” says Presilia.
“When you’ve been living together for so long, it’s hard to be away from each other,” adds Albert.
They spend most of each day in each other’s company and have thrown themselves into the activities on offer at Monash Gardens, regularly attending bingo, exercise classes, happy hour and church services. Albert also plays golden oldies on the piano to the other residents every week.
“We are very, very happy here. I just loved this place as soon as I walked in,” says Presilia.
They were also thrilled when the Lifestyle team threw them a special celebration for their 67th wedding anniversary earlier this year, complete with ballons, a beautiful cake and, most importantly, two of their daughters joining them on the day.
Family remains at the centre of Presilia and Albert’s life — their greatest source of pride and joy.
Together, they raised four daughters, one of whom tragically passed away at the age of 21. “It’s one of the worst things a mother can go through,” says Presilia.
They also have eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, who they dote on and keep in regular contact with.
“We live for our family,” says Presilia. “We love them and I’m phoning them every day or they are phoning me. It’s so important.”
After 67 years of love and devotion, they say the secret to their long-lasting marriage is simply the ability to give and take, and to never let the sun go down on arguments.
“Our philosophy in life is don’t go to bed being bad friends,” says Presilia.
“Every marriage has their ups and downs, but you come together again and it doesn’t last long,” says Albert.
