 The venerable East Gosford couple, both 97, married at St Mel's Church, Campsie on 17 November 1928 and toasted three quarters of a century together at their daughter's property at Lisarow late last year.
Joe played 32 first-grade games for the Saints from 1931-32 and survives as the Club's oldest living player.
"I was playing in Katoomba one day and the secretary of St George reserves asked me to try out the following year," said the former second rower who impressed Saints scouts while representing Randwick Tramway Workshop, his employer from 1924-68.
Still possessing the gait and posture of a young man, he attributes his longevity to a Popeye-like formula.
"Do what you're told and eat plenty of spinach," he said, conceding his wife's secret as "putting up with me".
State member for Gosford Chris Hartcher attended the celebration and conveyed congratulatory messages from Queen Elizabeth, the Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery and Prime Minister John Howard.
"You are part of the legendary generation of Australians who lived through the Depression and the war to raise a family and grow old together," Mr Hartcher said.
Joe and Violet still live together at the East Gosford address they bought when Joe and his workmates erected rail transmission lines between Sydney and Gosford in 1960.
Both are astonishingly sprightly and neither takes any medication.
The Sharps have two children, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Diamond anniversaries were originally celebrated after 75 years, but when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee at 60, the practice was adopted for weddings.
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St George Leagues Club
LEAGUES CLUB JOURNAL
