February 19, 2014
by Bronwyn Marquardt *
Kingaroy is facing a singles drought, according to a woman who has turned to social media in a bid to help lonely hearts unite.
Retail assistant, aged care student, and single mum Candace Harper started the Kingaroy And Surrounding Areas Singles group on Facebook after becoming frustrated with the lack of available men in the area.
“If there are good-looking men in the area, there is nowhere to go to find them,” she says.
However, single men who have joined the group say dating is just as difficult for them as it is for the fairer sex.
“Unless you are into going to clubs and pubs, there is no avenue to meet people who are ready for a steady relationship,” says volunteer fireman, Aaron Clampit, 32.
“The types of people you meet in the pubs are often not looking for a relationship. It’s hard in Kingaroy.”
Candace, 29, admits that having five children between the ages of 12 and 18 months old doesn’t make finding a partner any easier.
“As soon as you say you’ve got kids, they’re not interested,” she says. “It’s not as if I’m after anyone to play the Dad role. They just have to accept that I come as a package.”
Sole parenting makes it difficult to hit the club scene too, and after a disappointing flirtation with dating sites, Candace decided a local site where singles could get to know each other slowly, was the answer.
“So many people on dating sites say they are single, they are looking for a steady relationship, and they are interested in family life,” she says. “Ten minutes later, they are just interested in talking about sex. And you find out they are married.
“There’s definitely a singles drought. All the good ones are taken, and where do you go to meet the ones who are available? Dating sites are too expensive, and most people are from Toowoomba or Brisbane. Most people in the group want a chance to meet someone who actually lives in the area.”
Aaron agrees.
“It’s too easy to be fake on dating sites. Both men and women do it. With something like this (the Facebook group), you know people are real and can see who is out there and find out what they are like.”
Student, Alison Renyard, 24, and Dee Unverzagt, 31, a childcare assistant, believe social media is ideal
for busy single parents who are studying or working to get ahead.
Alison is mum to a three-year-old, while Dee has three children.
“When I’m not at work, I’m at home looking after the kids and getting ready for the next day,” Dee explains.
“On weekends, I’m cleaning the house and doing the washing – I don’t have time to go out to meet people.”
Candace created the group on a whim after spending a frustrating weekend feeling ‘fed up’ about being single.
There are currently 42 members and more are interested in joining. All ages are welcome, and the group held the first of what is hoped to be regular ‘getting to know you’ evenings at the Kingaroy Hotel on Friday Night.
“As far as I know, no dates were made, but lots of friendships were, and that’s all part of it,” says Candace. “We’re all here to support each other.”
The Kingaroy And Surrounding Areas Singles Group is on Facebook.
