February 14th, 2025Never too late to say ‘I do’

After 30 years together, Kevin Quick and Ivy Owen have said “I do”, marrying in Creswick on February 5.

The pair met in 1994 and spent the next 14 years together travelling around Australia. However Ivy thought she was still married to her first husband and would need a divorce to marry Kevin.

After years of not knowing, in 2024, she found out her first husband had died in 1986. She was free to remarry and the idea became a reality. 

The wedding was held at Creswick Health’s nursing home on Wednesday, February 5 – with Ivy, aged 91 to Kevin’s 83 years, joking she was a cradle snatcher. 

The event was planned by staff at Creswick Health who went to town ensuring the aged care facility was transformed into a wonderful wedding venue. 

The ceremony was attended by many of the residents in the nursing home, as well as family, friends and staff from Creswick Health and was presided over by Ballarat civil celebrant Tania Gunn. 

Tania, who also works full-time in aged and community care for Grampians Health, said it was a beautiful event. “

It brought tears to my eyes because there was so much love for Ivy and Kevin – and event organiser Cindy Stone and her team went above and beyond. 

“They even had a lovely honeymoon suite for them to have a nap and Kevin stayed on for the evening meal. It was all just delightful. 

“They are the most senior couple I have married and are just as in love as the younger couples I’ve married.” 

Tania said Ivy’s dress was beautiful. “It belonged to the grandmother of Cindy, and it looked gorgeous on Ivy. It was a dress with jacket and she had a beautiful necklace of pearls to complement that along with a lovely bouquet. 

“It was a very emotional day and there were lots of tears from everybody there.” 

Kevin, who lives independently in Clunes, proudly uploaded photos to the community’s Facebook page within an hour of the nuptials. 

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Contributed