Alex (left) and Craig (right), with patron Michael (centre), found quality connections at Junee Hotel’s successful Traffic Light Singles Party in Junee. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Single men have answered the call – albeit very late – to ensure a ‘looking for love’ event at Junee Hotel was a gender balanced success, with 250 people travelling from across Australia to attend the venue’s inaugural Traffic Light Party on Saturday night.
From a couple who met in person after four months of chatting online to an Englishman who walked away with three phone numbers, the event produced plenty of promising first chapters in what could become budding romances.
Last week, it appeared that female participants would outnumber blokes two-to-one, raising fears that the so-called ‘man drought’ would scupper the initiative. But after Junee Hotel and Region put out the call, it started raining men. (Hallelujah!)
“We had a rush of men turn up, so in the end it was like 60-to-40 women to men, which was great,” Hotel owner Emma Reynolds said.
The Traffic Light Singles Party saw guests given a coloured wristband to indicate their availability. Green, signifying “single and ready to mingle”, was easily the most popular.
“Some people were a little embarrassed to, like, go out and talk, but we had staff who helped by saying, ‘Have you met so and so? Well, let’s go and say, ‘hello’,” and it became a really comfortable night,” Emma said.
“People were talking to each other, interacting and moving around; it was just human nature, and it was happiness, like, you know, they found a friend, or something more, and it was amazing.”
When Craig met Alex in person
Culcairn’s Craig had been looking for love when he met Gundagai-based Alex online four months ago. The pair stayed in touch as friends, and when he mentioned he was planning to travel to Junee for the event, Alex decided to come along as well.
“So we both met here for the first time and had a hug, and it’s been really great getting to know her face to face,” Craig said.
The two are already planning their next date.
“It’s been such a lot of fun, and I’m so glad I came along,” Alex said.
Crossing Bass Strait in search of love
Vanessa came all the way from Tasmania just for the Junee Hotel event.
“There’s nothing like this anywhere, so when I saw it on socials, I thought it was a brilliant idea, so I decided that I needed to go,” Vanessa said.
“I am over 40. I’ve worked hard in my life. I have my own home, I have my own business. I even chop my own wood, so I’m independent, but I would like to find someone to share my life with me, and who cares about me.”
Emma said creating a safe atmosphere for women had been one of the organisers’ main priorities.
“We wanted to create an environment where people could enjoy themselves and be comfortable, and where the girls felt safe, and we think we did that,” she said.
Hattrick for an English bachelor
Fred and ‘Churchy’ both hail from England but moved to the Riverina for work.
“You want the truth? I was genuinely impressed with the numbers and the people here tonight,” Churchy said.
Fred had a very successful night.
“I swapped numbers with three lovely girls. I don’t want to say their names, but the tall one’s really pretty. The tall one’s the only number that matters,” he said.
More than 250 people gathered at Junee Hotel for a chance to find someone special at their Traffic Light Singles Party. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Calls for a repeat event
Junee Hotel has received multiple messages of thanks and requests to please do it again, particularly from those who believe the era of apps has devalued romance.
Owners Emma and Brendon Reynolds have confirmed they will do it again.
“It was our first, and we got a lot of feedback, and there are lessons to learn, but there are so many people looking for connections, we will definitely do this again this year,” Emma said.
“We are aiming for another in Spring.
“It was a lovely group of people who went there with hope, and stayed for the happiness and the atmosphere.”
