Stanthorpe-born farmer ready to find his soulmate

STANTHORPE-reared, Culcairn sheep farmer Scott Mitchell is trying the road less travelled to find his soulmate.

Scott Mitchell. Photo Contributed. Picture: Photo Contributed

STANTHORPE-reared, Culcairn sheep farmer Scott Mitchell is trying the road less travelled to find his soulmate.

The Riverina stud breeder and former Stanthorpe State High School student has made the top 10 of eligible country bachelors on the hit television show, The Farmer Wants A Wife, out of more than 100 applicants from across the country.

So far the 36-year-old father of two who left Stanthorpe at 23 after almost seven years of shearing and "partying a bit" counts himself unlucky in love.

After divorcing from his wife of seven years, it took him a while to "get back on the horse".

"All of my friends down here are married with kids, and I'm ready to find my soulmate," he said.

"I haven't found her around Culcairn so this show gives me a chance to look right across the country."

The process stared eight weeks ago for Scott when a friend "dobbed" him in to producers.

"I had thought about doing it before so, when they told me they'd put my name in, I just thought 'Why Not?'," he said.

"You never expect to actually make it on the show.

"It's been an intense eight weeks but the response from family and friends has been amazing.

"There's been no negativity that I've heard of, just a lot of love really."

Best mate and apple orchardist Jason Mattiazzi found out about his friend's "secret" after the A Current Affair special last week.

"He kept it a secret so I had no idea until I had all these calls from people telling me they'd seen Scott on TV," he said.

The pair's friendship goes back to their high school days, "playing soccer and riding motorbikes" together.

"Jason was one of the first people I contacted after (Scott's divorce) happened because I knew he was going through a similar situation," Scott said.

Jason said he was "over the moon" for his friend to be putting himself back out there.

"It's good to see him have some good back in his life and get some confidence back because, when you're going through something like a divorce, your confidence really takes a hit," he said.

"I'll be watching every episode to send him feedback and help pick the right one.

"From a mate's point of view, I hope he finds what he's looking for."

At the end of the day, Scott still had two concerns about appearing on the show.

"I don't want to hurt anyone or come across as the bad guy," he said.

"I'm pretty sensitive to what people think about me and I've got my two kids to think about - they're my world.

"I'm going to try not to take it too seriously though and just have a bit of fun with it and see what comes of it."

From eight seasons, the show has produced eight marriages, nine children and three long-term relationships.

It's not confirmed that Scott will make it on to the show as the top 10 will be wittled down to a final six or seven farmers.

For details or to register your interest in Scott, visit fmashows.com/farmer2015.