Allan and Cathie Brown of Otautau have been married for 60 years and celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Waitangi Day with forty family members and friends at the Otautau Golf Club last Sunday.

Having both come from Scottish stock, they passed their love of Scotland and all things Scottish onto their children.

So, it was no surprise that their oldest son Royden, a skilled bagpipe player, piped in the haggis and recited the Address to a Haggis at the celebrations.

Allan James Brown was born 4 November 1937 at Otautau as the third child of nine to Thomas and May Brown.

His ancestors came from Scotland to Tasmania in 1840, before moving to Dunedin, New Zealand in 1886.

A fifth generation New Zealander, Allan was raised at Strathvale, Otautau on the family farm which he still owns today.

He attended Otautau Primary School and then Southland Technical College.

Having completed his secondary education, Allan worked on various farms in Western Southland, learning many skills which he stills uses today. 

Allan and Cathie Brown on the day of their wedding on 7 February 1962. Photo: Supplied

Catherine Grant Thompson, a daughter of Robert and Edith Thompson, was born on 9 October 1940 in Invercargill as the third of five children.

Cathie’s family moved from Invercargill to Orawia when she was in her early childhood.

She attended Orawia Primary School then Southland Technical College for her secondary education. 

Allan and Cathie met while they were both working on Jean and Bill Scott’s farm in Eastern Bush.

Allan worked as a farm labourer and Cathie was housekeeping for the Scotts. 

They married at First Church, Invercargill, on 7 February 1962.

Soon their oldest son, Royden was born in 1963, followed by daughter Joanne in 1965, and twins Michael and Jeffrey in 1969. 

Mr Brown says that the births of each of their four children were highlights of their family life.

Allan and Cathie Brown with Elva Bickley who was a bridesmaid at their wedding. On the left is the dress Cathie wore to her wedding. Photo: Faye Brown

Another major highlight of the couple’s life was buying Allan’s family Strathvale farm, having leased it for two years prior.

Allan’s father, Thomas Brown, was a WWI veteran, who was granted the Strathvale farm as part of the government’s soldier-settler scheme.

Allan remembers those first years as hard work.

“The first 10-15 years it was head down and get rid of the mortgage. We milked 45 cows back then,” he says.

Later he bought two neighbouring farms to add to his existing land.

Several decades on, history repeated itself when in 2021 Allan’s son, Michael leased the farm from his father with the intention to buy it in the future. This allowed Allan to retire from farming.

Both Allan and Cathie have been very active in various community groups and clubs.

Mr Brown’s very first club involvement was with the Tuatapere Young Farmers Club, he was also a director of the Otautau Dairy Factory and Otautau Vet Club. He is a life member of the Otautau Jaycees. Allan is involved in Otautau RSA, Thornbury Vintage Tractor Club and Otautau Golf. 

His wife, Cathie has been equally busy in a number of Otautau clubs and community groups including Otautau Badminton, Scout Group, Lioness Club, Golf Club and Garden Club. 

Asked about his advice for a long-lasting relationship, Mr Brown said that all you need is “Just a bit of give and take and to realise that you are not always right.”

The Browns obviously had plenty of that. With a total of 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren they are kept busy, happy and young at heart.