Elite Introductions’ boss Trudy Gilbert fires back at Dr Eileen Moore dating disaster court fight

An exclusive dating agency claimed it wouldn’t have taken on a lovelorn client if it had known the doctor’s impossible criteria for a man.

A lovelorn doctor sued an exclusive dating agency for matching her with a Russian-born dud who was too short and not religious enough.

Dr Eileen Moore reignited her VCAT battle with Elite Introductions on Wednesday after rejecting an offer to settle her claim for a full refund and a written apology.

It was a case of from Russia without love for Dr Moore who said she was “excited” to find love after her “career-focused” lifestyle kept her on the dating sidelines.

“I was at a stage where I was ready to settle down, get married and start a family,” Dr Moore told the tribunal.

“I was a career woman, I was 36 … I was ready to embark on the next chapter of my life.”

Dr Moore said she checked out online dating apps but they “weren’t really for me”.

She said an Elite Introductions advertisement pitching dreams of matching time-poor professionals had “resonated” with her.

Dr Moore slapped down almost $5000 upfront to join the agency in February 2019.

Elite Introductions chief executive Trudy Gilbert, Australia’s “Millionaire Matchmaker”, promotes her business as an exclusive agency for well-educated professionals with the potential to land client’s an “intellectual, financially secure and confident partner”.

“There was a lot of positives … it really attracted me … I was ready to meet Mr Right,” Dr Moore said.

Moore only had one date.

The Harvard-educated former Barwon Health researcher told the tribunal she set out a criteria of her dream man with Exclusive Introductions “psychotherapeutic consultant” Lisa Hayes.

Dr Moore’s requirements for her ideal partner was that he only be “seventh generation” Australian/Irish descent, be a baptised Roman Catholic, be like her, be intelligent, be driven and be taller than six foot.

“I really want someone six foot tall, it isn’t uncommon … I’m five foot nine and I like to wear heels … I really want a tall man,” Dr Moore said.

Dr Moore told the tribunal she left the meeting with Ms Hayes hopeful that her dreams could be met.

The tribunal heard Ms Hayes contacted Dr Moore with the good news that she had matched her with mysterious businessman “David”.

Ms Hayes asked Dr Moore if she could pass her number to David after telling the doctor her potential beau was overseas at the time.

David’s stocks rose with Dr Moore after she heard he was “relationship-ready”, family-oriented and played the piano.

The love plan was on track until Ms Hayes allegedly told Dr Moore, that David was “around the same height” as her.

The doctor, who had told the tribunal countless times that she wanted a tall man because her brothers and mother were all tall and she was considered the short one in the family, said the late information left her “gobsmacked”.

Gilbert’s offer to settle the case was rejected by Dr Moore.

Dr Moore said she attempted to contact Ms Hayes on the final day of her three-day cooling-off period but insinuated she was stonewalled.

Dr Moore went on one date with David but it was fizzer.

The tribunal heard Dr Moore phoned Ms Hayes several times but couldn’t get through.

However, Ms Hayes disputed the doctor’s claims.

Ms Hayes told the tribunal Dr Moore made it clear she was “gifted”.

“Intelligence was a priority and I wanted to make sure I understood that and matched her accordingly,” Ms Hayes said.

Ms Hayes also confirmed she understood Roman Catholic was a “preference” but not a “deal-breaker” and Dr Moore wanted a man 5’9 or taller.

Ms Hayes “updated” Dr Moore’s profile “accordingly” after the doc signed on but denied she was made aware of her height demands.

“The height, you know, there’s no way I would’ve taken her on as a client if she only wanted to meet men who were over six foot …,” Ms Hayes said.

“If I had have known her criteria to begin with I would not have encouraged the appointment, I would not have encouraged her to join because I would know it was going to be too difficult.”

Gilbert and Lisa Hayes.

Dr Moore sent an email after the date with David which clarified her “definition of tall is six feet or taller”, then complained that he was born in Russia.

Dr Moore also outlined further criteria which stipulated her matches must be “baptised” Roman Catholic.

“English was (David’s) first language … he didn’t even have an accent,” Ms Hayes said.

“To characterise David as being culturally unaligned in the general sense is wrong.”

Ms Hayes also contacted Dr Moore with news she found a tall and “pretty smart” man who met all her criteria except he didn't want to date someone that was religious.

Ms Hayes kiboshed a date though believing the pair weren’t compatible and just wanted to let Dr Moore know she was “working” for her.

The tribunal heard Ms Hayes made an “assumption” the mystery man had “deep trauma issues” about his faith.

Member Danielle Galvin said “sparks didn’t fly” for Dr Moore.

“As I understand it this is an introduction agency, they introduce you to people, good luck … there’s no guarantees …,” Member Danielle Galvin said.

Dr Moore presented a Herald Sun article which she described as “misinformation” followed by an allegation she “believed” the media had been “bought”.

Dr Moore sensationally withdrew her claim for a $4995 refund, legal costs, extras for alleged misleading conduct, bullying and breach of verbal contract and a written apology after asking if the media would still write a story if she “dismissed the matter herself”.

Member Galvin granted the withdraw just moments before she was to deliver her decision at the end of the two-day and at times bonkers hearing.