Sick of swiping? The Ekka promises to have you falling head over RM heels
Sick of Tinder and other dating apps? This year’s Ekka will round up cowgirls and cowboys who are single and ready to mingle.
The Royal Queensland Show returns on Saturday, with enough rides, showbags and events to fill the Brisbane Showgrounds, and enough strawberry sundaes and dagwood dogs to fill the family.
And this year the Ekka committee are playing Cupid.
Harry Tommerup is looking for love.Credit: Jocelyn Garcia, Brisbane Times
When asked about Singles Mingle Monday, a new event for the Ekka, RNA chief executive officer Brendan Christou could not help but chuckle through the words “that’s new”.
“It came about because someone from the bush has been struggling to meet someone, so our team put it together,” he said.
Singles Mingle Monday at the Ekka.
“Anyone who wants to meet a good country boy or girl, Monday is the day to do it, so stop by the Stockmen’s Bar. There are many stories of people meeting at that bar during the Ekka.”
Former The Bachelorette contestant Apollo Jackson will host the night, starting at 8pm and featuring speed dating by Queensland matchmakers Social Mingle, country music from Brittany Elise and prizes.
Harry Tommerup, a 24-year-old engineer-turned-farmer who works at his family’s Scenic Rim dairy, finds it hard to find that special someone.
“I think the whole online dating isn’t really working for me. It’s not as nice as a face-to-face conversation,” he said.
“I also don’t go out drinking constantly or anything. I’m pretty simple – I like spending my time on the farm and keeping active and I live to cook.”
Scenic Rim farmers Harry Tommerup and Shannon Wyatt.
But he is searching for someone with similar family values and a love for the country.
Tommerup will be at the Stockmen’s Bar and Grill with a group of Scenic Rim singles, including 37-year-old dairy farmer Shannon Wyatt, who is shy but wanting to try her luck.
And Leo Thompson, happily married for years, can vouch for finding love at the Ekka.
He and Kylie Hopkins met at the Cattleman’s Bar in 2006 and in 2016 he proposed during the Grand Parade. They continue to celebrate their anniversary at the Ekka each year during the parade with their goats.
Craig Daniells proposed to Simone with her mother’s engagement ring and a strawberry sundae under the Ekka’s love sign last year.
For Ipswich couple Simone and Craig Daniells, the Ekka will always have a special place in their hearts – especially after last year’s show.
“We were together for 11 years and he proposed to me on a random Tuesday night at the Ekka,” Simone said.
“We always took a photo at the Ekka love sign every year, so I was caught off-guard.”
Six weeks later, they were married in New Farm with the Ekka love sign as a feature.
More than 400,000 people are expected to pass through the Ekka gates, reaching pre-pandemic numbers of patrons.
“It’s fantastic bringing back exhibitors from the bush and even our entry levels are high this year,” Christou said.
“The fear of COVID seems to have completely gone and we’re seeing a lot of people walking around with their big Akubras and RM Williams again.”
The Ekka runs from August 12-20 at the Brisbane Showgrounds. To register for Singles Mingle Monday, visit the website here.
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