The pair met in 1952 and married at St John’s Lutheran Church at Pella on April 9, 1955.

Una, 86, was born at Rainbow and lived with the German community at Pella, while Derk, 83, moved to Australia from Holland in 1951.

Mrs Koning said when she first met Mr Koning he was a tall and fair haired.

Mr Koning said his future bride was the best looking girl in the community.

He said she helped him learn to speak English, something he struggled with.

‘‘I used to fine him a shilling every time he said a word wrong or mispronounced it,’’ Mrs Koning said.

‘‘A friendship grew between us and I thought he was a nice man I would like to get to know.’’

Mr Koning said he was shy when he first met people, and Mrs Koning helped introduce him to people at Rainbow.

Shortly after marrying, they had their first child Katherine – a former Wimmera Mail-Times journalist – in 1956.

Four more children, Richard, Chris, Robert and Elizabeth, followed throughout the next decade.

Mr and Mrs Koning have 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr Koning said marriage was not always easy.

He said despite their ups and downs, they stuck by each other and emerged stronger.

Mr Koning said these days they kept each other company at their home in Horsham.

They do crosswords together and watch Millionaire Hot Seat on television, competing to see who can get the most correct answers.

Mrs Koning, an avid scrabble player, said she taught her husband how to play so she had someone to play against.

‘‘He finds it hard to play, but he helps me with the crosswords because he has amazing general knowledge,’’ she said.

The couple received cards from the Queen, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Member for Mallee Andrew Broad to congratulate them on 60 years together.