READER Pam Taylor wanted to share the story of her parents' everlasting love. The couple, Max and Zeta Hill of Griffith, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this month. Max was born in Queanbeyan in 1919 as, back then, the eight-bed hospital in Canberra lacked obstetric facilities. His parents, Reuben and Eva Hill, moved to Duntroon in 1917. Reuben was employed to grow vegetables for the Royal Military College. The couple moved to a larger parcel of land at Fyshwick (now Pialligo) by the river which he farmed, joined by Max as he grew older and later Max's son Ian. Zeta, born in Yass in 1915, celebrates her 96th birthday tomorrow. According to Max, 92, there were about 1000 or so people in Canberra when he was born. He and Zeta met at a Presbyterian fellowship youth camp back when he was 17, and married on September 6, 1941. Max has been active in Canberra over the years: with Rotary, hockey, in business supplying veggies all over Canberra, and at church. He established the Green Hills conference centre. He was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 1990 for his services to the community. He documented his memories of growing up in Canberra in Recollections, a book he wrote for his family. Taylor said, ''Zeta has been a quiet but great support for Max and we think they are pretty special.'' Their anniversary was celebrated at home with friends, family, a cake, lots of flowers and cups of tea. Zeta's wedding dress was displayed on the day. Max said what attracted him to Zeta was her confidence and her considerable musical talents. He said there was no secret to staying married for seven decades. ''You just have to stay around long enough.'' These days, Zeta's health is fragile. The couple's family and friends admire the way the couple have cared for each other over the years and the way Max is Zeta's carer now. ''I believe I can look after her better than anyone else can,'' he said.
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Opera's true falsetto?
COME on, opera lovers. If you've ever dreamed of taking centre stage and wowing a crowd with the power of your pipes, here's a contest for you. Never mind if you have a singing voice that could make paint peel. No one need ever know. Just put on your viking helmet and breastplate and act like you're doing your best Brunhilde. Snap a picture of your operatic moves and you could be on your way to a fine dining experience and some opera performed by bona fide singers. The Strike an Opera Pose competition calls on you to photograph yourself, a mate or a group of people doing something operatic, then upload it it to the Voices in the Forest Facebook page. The winner gets two tickets to Voices in the Forest, a new opera event on November 12 at the natural amphitheatre of the National Arboretum Canberra, followed by dinner for two at Civic restaurant Dieci e Mezzo. Entries close on October 8.
Purr-fect event for cats
FROM music to meowing. The ACT Cat Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation, has its 15th championship all breeds cat show planned for October 29. Entries are now open for the In the Swing of Spring Cat Show to be held at the Croatia Deakin Football Club on Grose Street. The main display and judging will be open to the public each day from 10am-4pm. See exhibits from the ACT and NSW and have a look at some Maine coons, Persians, Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinian, and rex cats. Pedigree and non-pedigree cats alike will be featured. See judging in action with commentary throughout. Carla ''Biggzy'' Bignasca of Mix 106.3 will be judging the best show cage between noon and 1pm. Also, the RSPCA will be around to answer questions on adopting a loving pet.
Handy hints for home
IF YOU'D like to show your home some love, head out to Crace at the weekend. TV carpenter Tom Williams and clutter-buster Lissanne Oliver are to be there to teach home de-cluttering as well as how to repair or re-invent household items, or how to turn them into cash. They are guests at an event that begins on Sunday morning at 9 with the Crace monster garage sale, followed by a barbeque courtesy of the Lions Club of Gungahlin at 10. From 10, Williams and Oliver will scour the sales and from 11-noon they'll host a DIY workshop, making over their garage sale finds and advising on repair, reuse and recycling. You can put home handyman or clutter questions to them from noon. At 1pm, their projects will be auctioned off for charity. It's all on at Crace Sales and Information Centre on Sunday.
