Four love stories from couples who met at the Uni

“It certainly was attraction at first sight!”

Rosie and Greg Egan

Rosie (Bachelor of Arts 1975 and Diploma of Education 1976) fondly recalls her first impressions of locking eyes with Greg Egan (Bachelor of Arts 1977 and Diploma of Education 1978) on campus. “I was particularly taken by his long, dark curly hair and sideburns,” she said. Greg, Rosie (nee Jarman) vividly remembers, was sitting on the stone wall in front of the steps to the Barr Smith Library. “It certainly was attraction at first sight! Apparently, he liked my smile!” The pair first met through a mutual friend in 1973. “We were both studying arts at the Uni, I was in second year and Greg was just starting first year,” Rosie recalls.

Don Giovanni’s pizza bar was the location for the first date, followed by a University Review. The date went well and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. For Rosie and Greg, the definition of romance is “enjoying a morning coffee together and spending time together in lovely locations like the beach or going for walks. And, lots of hugs!”

Their favourite thing about their relationship is the support they offer each other, and the memories they make together. The couple’s top relationship tip is to have a team approach and listen to each other. Fifty years on, Rosie and Greg are happily together and have been married for 43 years. The couple have two sons and four grandchildren.

“An insight into how kind his heart and soul was.”

Susie and Jason Ellul

Susie (B Ma & Comp Sc 2005) and Jason (B Sc (Ma & Comp Sc) 2004, and B Ma & Comp Sc (Hons) 2005), met in 2006 while studying within the School of Mathematical Sciences. Susie Ellul (nee Lugg) maintains that a strong friendship was the foundation from which their relationship and romance blossomed. “We became good friends while assisting with tutorials and practicals for first and second year statistics courses, and, in some tutes or pracs we worked together – one as the head tutor and the other as the assistant.” The pair, thanks to the help of mutual friends, began meeting regularly. “We went cycling and running along the River Torrens, met for coffee breaks and joined the Uni gym together,” Susie said.

“Quite some time later, that friendship became something more.” The pair started to spend even more time together doing fun runs, including Mother’s Day classic and City to Bay, and fundraising. It was clear from the outset they had lots in common.

Susie fondly recalls that what she first noticed about Jason was “his eyes – an insight into how kind his heart and soul was.” For Jason, it was Susie’s caring nature. “Be yourself, be friends, and take time to nurture your love, relationship and each other,” says Susie. These are the foundations that underpin their relationship. The couple have been married for over 14 years and reside in Melbourne with their three children, two boys and a toy poodle who is “very much a family member”.

“That spark that makes you want to be together.”

Dr Marie Kunze (nee Keller) and Dr Gottfried (Godfrey) Kunze

Marie and Godfrey met in third year medicine in 1968. The pair were both completing their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degrees. “We worked side by side in Biochemistry practicals because we were arranged alphabetically in the laboratory,” Marie says. “He was always happy and singing. I first noticed his smile and sunny temperament.” Godfrey says he first noticed Marie’s stylish looks.

Their top tip for ensuring your relationship stands the test of time is to “make your relationship a top priority and outdo each other in kindness”. Marie’s definition of romance is “the spark that makes you want to be together”. They both name “joy, trust and admiration” as their favourite things about their relationship. They agree that meeting each other was their best university memory, along with marrying at the end of fourth-year.

The couple who has been happily married for an impressive 53 years, have three children and three grandchildren, and try to “celebrate every possible family event”. In 2022, they returned to campus to celebrate their Class of 1972 Golden Jubilee reunion, 50 years since the conferral of their degrees. Still together in life, marriage and on campus.

“We are always on the same page and make a good team.”

Amelia and Paul Monaghan

Having shared interests and being on the same page are two principles that have always underpinned Amelia (nee James-Martin) and Paul Monaghan’s relationship. This love story starts in 1991 as they embarked on their university journeys, and what ultimately turned out to be exactly the same study trajectory - both studying a Bachelor of Music (1994), followed by honours (1995) and a Graduate Diploma in Education (1997). But, it wasn’t until 1993 that the pair officially met when Paul started appearing at the end of Amelia’s Early Music lectures and struck up the courage to say hello. “With a little help and nudging from some mutual friends, we got to know each other, and things developed from there,” says Amelia.

Amelia admits she had her sights set on Paul from their first meeting. “I thought Paul was the best-looking guy in our year! Being a trumpet player, who are often stereotyped as being loud, confident and boisterous, Paul was the opposite. He was kind, funny and quietly confident.” Paul said he noticed Amelia through mutual friends and thought she was different from anyone else he’d met at uni. He appreciated her calm temperament.

The Monaghan's have been together for 30 years and look forward to celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in 2023. They have two sons, Benjamin and Thomas, who are also “very involved in music activities”. Their top love tip is to laugh lots with each other, at yourselves and with your kids.

Story written by Bianca Chaptini.