It's raining men, but interest from women has dried up

By Melissa Marino
Regional Affairs Reporter

The Age

Melbourne Australia

October 1, 2004

Nathan Ridler, left, Warren McDonnell, centre, and Shane Dillon gather outside a pub to drown their sorrows, as the federal election may have scuppered the Beaut Blokes weekend.
Photo: Jason South

The Beaut Blokes weekend that debuted last year in a blaze of publicity, and with a swarm of enthusiastic city girls keen to meet a country lad, is in danger of folding because of a lack of interest.

"Blokes aren't a problem... they come out of the woodwork," said organiser Sarah Chambers who, along with founder Ange Newton, will decide today whether the event can go ahead.

Ms Chambers said at least 15 more women were needed to come to Harrow, north of Hamilton, on October 8, 9 and 10. It's up against the federal election, but Ms Chambers said that shouldn't put people off. "We do have a voting office here," she said.

Ms Chambers said she was not sure why there had been a lack of interest in the event, which, since it was first held in Harrow last year, has spawned six spin-offs, including two interstate, and produced one marriage, two engagements, a baby and 40 relationships. Ms Chambers said there were still plenty of blokes from the Western District looking for love.

One is Nathan Ridler, unlucky in the last two events held in Harrow, but keen to try again and "not real happy" about the idea of the event being cancelled. "Perhaps they've heard about us . . . but we're a great bunch of fellas down here and it's a good weekend and they don't know what they are missing if they don't turn up," he said.

Mr Ridler said he was "fairly fussy", but was looking for someone to share life with on the farm, between Harrow and Edenhope, "to sit back at the end of the day and share it with someone".

Mr Ridler, 34, who has two older sisters who have been "no help whatsoever", said previous events had "thinned a few of the blokes out", but there were still good opportunities. "You can't just jump into these things and take the first thing you see," he said. "You've got to spend a bit of time and work through it." Mr Ridler said rural life was not boring, and there was plenty to do.

But would he have time for a relationship as well? "I'm multi-skilled," he said.

The Beaut Blokes weekend is scheduled to begin on Friday October 8 with a "meet and greet" at the local pub.

On Saturday women will get to experience farm life, followed by dinner and a ball.