The pair celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on February 7, with the family coming together last Saturday to help them celebrate.

A Mass, morning tea and luncheon were held at Assumption Villa, where Mr and Mrs Houghton now live.

The pair have eight children and 27 grandchildren.

Four of the children still live in Leeton shire, with son John running the family property.

The Houghtons moved off that property in 1998 and lived in Leeton until moving into the villa about four months ago.

The key to a successful marriage is to work together, Mr Houghton said.

"You need to support each other in the decisions you make," he said.

"If you work well together and communicate with each other it will be fine."

Happy memories for the couple include family holidays at Narooma during the summer school holidays and visits from their grandchildren after school during the week.

"We like spending time together ... it's been a happy 60 years," Mrs Houghton said.

Mr Houghton presented his wife with a matching set of diamond earrings and a necklace to mark the anniversary.

"It was very thoughtful of him," Mrs Houghton said.