Armidale local Andrew Hunt has kicked off a Facebook group for over-50s across the New England North West, and in just weeks it has become a fast-growing hub for singles looking for friendship or something more.
Older Armidale Singles launched a few weeks ago and is already over 100 members, and growing steadily.
Mr Hunt, who has been widowed for five years, said he started the group after struggling to find anything similar for the region.
He had looked into paid dating sites but found them costly and short on local options. After discovering only a couple of older, largely inactive singles groups based in Tamworth, he decided to create one himself, focused on Armidale and open to people aged 50 and over.
“We went 0 to 50 basically in a week,” Mr Hunt said of the group’s early growth.
Members are encouraged to post a photo along with their age and a bit about themselves. Mr Hunt said having that information up front made all the difference.
“I can’t see if you just put up, this is how old I am, and this is what I’m into, I can’t see how that’s a problem,” he said.
“Fair enough, you might not want to put your photo up. It’s up to you. I can understand that. But at least some basics.”
The group held its first in-person catch-up on Sunday, with around 15 members meeting for coffee. Mr Hunt said he had hoped for four or five people, so the turnout exceeded his expectations.
Monthly coffee catch-ups are now planned, and Mr Hunt has floated other casual meet-ups too, including trips to the movies and a trivia night for anyone keen to join a team.
“There’s quite a few people looking for friendship,” Mr Hunt said. “There’s a few that sort of, a bit like me, want to meet people and see what happens.”
The group was originally limited to Armidale, but Mr Hunt has since opened it up to members from Tamworth as well, after putting the question to existing members. He has kept a small number of Moree members too, given the distance many locals already travel to Armidale for other things. Members from the coast have generally been excluded, in keeping with the group’s regional focus.
Age rules are kept fairly simple. Members must be 50 or over, though Mr Hunt said he lets the odd late-40s member slip through.
On moderation, Mr Hunt said there had been very few issues so far.
“No problem with nasties,” he said. “I put a thing up saying, well, if you get any problems, tell me, and I’ll either boot them and/or report them.”
The group currently sits at roughly 60 per cent women and 40 per cent men, which Mr Hunt puts down to men being less active on Facebook generally.
For those on the fence about joining, Mr Hunt has a simple message.
“Don’t try, don’t get,” he said. “No one’s going to want you, are they? I mean, they don’t know you’re there.”
He also pointed out there is nothing to lose by giving it a go.
“It’ll cost you nothing,” Mr Hunt said. “If you don’t find someone, well, you’ve lost nothing.”
Older Armidale Singles is open to over-50s from Armidale and Tamworth. Those interested can find the group at facebook.com/groups/27824189987221686
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