Corindi community urges Deb to say yes after dramatic aerial proposal

The actions of one romantic kept a Mid North Coast town on tenterhooks after his aerial move was witnessed by more than just the love of his life.

There’s nothing like a romantic gesture to bring people together and a Coffs Coast proposal of epic proportions has managed to captivate an entire town.

Brendan Bennett set the seaside community of Corindi abuzz on Wednesday after he hired a plane to fly across town towing a sign with the words ‘Deb, will you marry me’ emblazoned across it.

Part of an elaborate marriage proposal to partner Deb Rickert, the plane captured the attention of more than a few locals while the couple enjoyed a picnic at Corindi Beach.

Brendan Bennett and Deb Rickert watch as the proposal plane flies past. Photo: Fallon Hamilton / Photography by Fallon

But this wasn’t your average picnic. Mr Bennett had organised Bohemian Banquets to provide a luxurious spread complete with decadent foods, drink and flowers under a coastal teepee.

Ms Rickert said she had a feeling that a proposal from Mr Bennett would be “special” but “definitely not to that degree”.

“We were just standing on the headland and he told me to look around and that’s when I saw the plane,” she said. “I turned back to look at him and he was on one knee.

“It was like a dream come true. It was perfect, he thought of everything. He even made a playlist for the time we were there.”

Brendan Bennett's elaborate proposal to Deb Rickert captured the imagination of Corindi. The proposal prompted people to flood social media with one question – did Deb say yes? Photo: Fallon Hamilton / Photography by Fallon

Meanwhile, everyone else between Corindi and the airstrip was left to wonder – did Deb say yes?

People immediately took to social media to find out, with a video of the plane flying over the town quickly surfacing.

Many people urged Deb to say yes with the hashtag #sayyesdeb and as time went on it became clear the town was becoming increasingly desperate for an answer.

The suspense created by the romantic gesture pushes members of the Corindi community to breaking point.

“Wow how beautiful and romantic. Please Deb say yes.”

“Come on Deb, let us know #sayyesdeb.

“Deb, debby. please, we need to know.”

Thankfully, before the suspense prompted civil unrest, Ms Rickert was on hand to calm a town on tenterhooks with a simple “#isaidyes”.

Mr Bennett had Bohemian Banquets create a luxurious surprise picnic. Photo: Fallon Hamilton / Photography by Fallon

She said the community response took them both by surprise and while Mr Bennett prefers to let his actions do the talking, Ms Rickard agreed there might be others who could learn from him.

“He has already gotten a few messages saying maybe he could give them a few tips,” she said.