HEPBURN born and bred couple Charlie and Dawn Olver celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, April 23.

The pair grew up in Hepburn and attended the same state school, but sparks didn't fly until they were reunited while Dawn was working in Melbourne and Charlie was camped at Broadmeadows after serving with the army in the Pacific during World War II.

They moved back to Hepburn with Charlie working with his father chopping wood and Dawn taking up a position as a nursing aide at Daylesford Hospital.

Later, while Dawn was busy raising Denis, Cheryl and Gail, Charlie began a 32-year career at the Bullarto sawmill.

The family home, where they have lived for about 58 of their 60 married years, was built on what was known as Olvers Hill, land owned by Charlie's grandmother.

The couple, who now have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, celebrated their diamond anniversary with family and friends on Sunday and exchanged gifts of a beautiful pearl necklace and gold watch.

Both said they had seen Hepburn attract an increasing number of tourists and the grand guesthouses of old replaced by a myriad of bed-and-breakfasts.

"When we built here there were only another three houses but they are all around us now," Dawn said. "But we have never wanted to live anywhere else."

The couple has contributed over the years to the area through school councils, mothers' club, Red Cross, Country Fire Authority and the RSL, with Charlie marching every year accompanied by great-granddaughter Sharie, 11.

But, judging by the photos around their lounge room, it's family that means the most to this loving couple.

"I had the nicest compliment the other day," Dawn said.

"Sharie was here and she turned and said `you're cool'. It made my day."