feel good
Finding love at the pub as social season kicks off in outback Queensland
Patrons get a card on entry to the pub and have to find their match. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
It might seem unlikely, but outback Queensland and Bridgerton, a TV show about Regency romance, share an unexpected connection: a thriving social season filled with courtship, romance and plenty of whispers.
After a hot and quiet summer in western Queensland, communities come out of hibernation as several annual "meet and greet" events kickstart a season filled with rodeos, races and balls.
They bring together newcomers, ringers and backpackers.
The social season has kicked off in outback Queensland. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
In a crowd of cowboy hats, belts and boots at the Wellshot Hotel in Ilfracombe, 660 kilometres from Rockhampton, many are looking for their match.
It's an outback tradition that's perhaps taken over the infamous Bachelor and Spinster balls that saw their heyday in regional Australia in the 1970s.
Each year has a different theme and prizes for best dressed. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
Love at the pub
Tracy Hatch has been hosting a "'meet and mingle" in February at the Wellshot since she took over in 2016.
"It's the start of everything," she said.
"Because of the vast distances between towns and where people work it's somewhere they can meet up.
"It's also for all of those new people in town — doctors, nurses, teachers."
Tracy Hatch is much loved by all her staff. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
They say you find love in unlikely places, and the pub in a town with a population of 310 people is no exception.
From behind the bar, Ms Hatch said at least six backpackers had found true love in Ilfracombe.
"We have backpackers that come in the door dragging their butt, saying it's hot, too many flies, so far away.
"Three months later they don't want to leave."
It's good for business, but even better for the town.
Loading..."It's really valuable to our community and the values that those people bring … it brings vigour to our population,"Ms Hatch said.
It's been three years since 27-year-old British backpacker Jade Cook arrived at the pub "just to help with visas".
But "a bundy and coke later", she and her partner have settled down on a property out of town.
"It was love at first sight … he made me laugh straight away,"Ms Cook said.
Jade Cook fell in love at the pub. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
"He's born and bred here and came in after work one day when I was behind the bar.
"When I first spoke to Tracy on the phone she said when people come out here, they always find love and stay
"I thought I'd never be that lucky."
Ms Cook admits Tracy was right.
"I lived in cities just outside of London, I'd never experienced anything like this … the heat or the flies … having to drive four hours to get my nails done or go clothes shopping.
"I love the way of life … I don't regret a single moment,"she said.
Outback tradition
Before modern technology, balls or dances in the bush were the way to find a partner.
Debutante balls were popular in outback Queensland in the 1950s. (Supplied: State Library of Queensland)
And Lisa Clarke from the Longreach Archival and Historical Research Group has the evidence.
"Longreach has had balls, dances and Cinderellas [a dance that finished at midnight] for as long as the town has been there," she said.
"There were also Bachelor and Spinster balls, usually held on properties around the district … they were much more respectable affairs in the early days."
According to the ladies of the historical group, there was always a divide between the landowners and townsfolk.
But these days, it's much less visible.
About 300 people attended this year's meet and mingle. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
Tula Tanserly Beckerman, 21, drove one and a half hours and slept in his swag to join in the fun at Ilfracombe.
He works on a station about 100km south of Longreach.
"Everyone comes in from the stations, it's good to go to town and try to meet some good people,"he said.
"It's amazing how the nights turn out and the amount of random people you meet."
Liv Corrilo just moved from Brisbane, 1,000km away, to work as a governess, a cross between a teacher and nanny, on a nearby station.
"There's lots of different people here from different places which is really cool," she said.
Whether people are looking for friends or something more, the pub is more than just a place to grab a beer.
Harry is looking for his match. (ABC Western Qld: Hannah Walsh)
Tully Gaynor has come from Ariah Park in New South Wales and is excited about what a stacked social calendar might deliver.
"I hope I find a husband that has, you know, some good acres and a bit of money [and] that I can just live up here for my whole life," she said.
But if you're not looking for love, be warned.
"You will fall in love here,"Ms Cook said.
"It's the place to fall in love, a tiny town in the middle of nowhere."