Revealed: Garden city’s bachelors are rose ready, identities unveiled

Whoever said romance is dead has yet to come across these six bachelors. Here’s everything you need to know about them.

Digital marketing business Social Palms and accounting practice ITP selected six eligible bachelors to battle it out in a series of challenges in a bid to become Toowoomba's most frugal bachelor. Pictures: Social Palms.

After much speculation, the identities of the six bachelors involved in a locally-run campaign have been revealed.

Digital marketing business Social Palms and accounting practice ITP selected six eligible bachelors to battle it out in a series of challenges in a bid to become Toowoomba’s most frugal bachelor.

The tongue-in-cheek campaign will stream the date challenges online, give the public an opportunity to cast their vote and the winner will walk away with the ultimate title.

From state champions in their sports of choice to a Dr Who fanatic with a heart of gold, all six suitors will put their skills to the test.

ITP Toowoomba general manager Victoria Haines previously told The Chronicle that the contestants were well-known.

“We’re looking for the Most Frugal Bachelor, but we also wanted to find people with really incredible stories, and we’re so pleased to say that we’ve done that,” Ms Haines said.

“I would say they will be recognised locally but some on a national scale too.”

The series will be hosted by Councillor James O’Shea.

Date challenges will be uploaded on the ITP Toowoomba social media pages next month.

The public will be able to cast their vote for the winner.

Digital marketing business Social Palms and accounting practice ITP selected six eligible bachelors to battle it out in a series of challenges in a bid to become Toowoomba's most frugal bachelor. Pictures: Social Palms.

1. Name: Emmanuel Fallah
Age: 21
Occupation: National Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) champion

Not one to shy away from a chokehold or hard work, Emmanuel thinks he has what it takes to be crowned the region’s most frugal.

The state champion first started training in his sport of choice at the age of 12.

What initially started out as a form of fitness and opportunity to learn self-defence skills turned into professional competing for Emmanuel.

The sport has taken him around the country and world.

Describing himself as tall, dark and young, Emmanuel said he had got this in the bag.

“I think I’m (going to be) Toowoomba’s Most Frugal Bachelor due to my work ethic that I put in the gym with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” he said.

“I’ll be applying that same work ethic to this competition.”
Reason for signing up to competition:
To bring more exposure to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a sport and for the all expenses-paid boy’s trip if I win.
Qualities you look for in a partner:
Someone who is beautiful inside and out.
What’s your most interesting talent:
I would say being the national champ in BJJ is a pretty interesting talent of mine.

Emmanuel Fallah.

2. Name: David Searston
Age: 31
Occupation: Part-time playwright and full-time barista

Whether you’ve seen him performing on the stage or he’s taken your coffee order, most people will know David for his friendly smile.

The part-time playwright started out as an actor, director and producer of small Toowoomba productions before discovering his love for writing.

His work has since featured on the international stage, including New York City.

But when he’s not on or behind the stage, David is working his magic on the coffee machine at Ground-Up Espresso Bar.

“Being a creative, I don’t earn that much money, so being frugal is who I am,” he said.

“Through being frugal I managed to purchase my house at the end of last year.
Competition strategy:
Being an actor and director, my plan is to use my natural charisma to win the heart of my date.
Qualities you look for in a partner:
Positive energy, creativity and someone who supports me in all my creative ventures.
Best pick up line:
I don’t have much money, but I know how to have a good time.

Dave Searston.

3. Name: Dom Matinelli
Age: 26
Occupation: Bodybuilder

Passionate about living a fit and healthy lifestyle, it’s a safe bet that if you can’t find Dom, he’s probably at the gym lifting weights.

The lover of all things sports began professionally competing in bodybuilding in 2016 after a coach approached him directly.

Taking a break from competing, Dom’s current focus is building muscle.

“Preparing for a bodybuilding competition is extremely stressful emotionally, physically and mentally; but I’ve overcome that stress before, so this competition isn’t a big challenge at all,” he said.

“So long as I bring the same determination and competitive spirit that I apply to my bodybuilding to this competition, I think I’m a serious contender.”
Reason for signing up to competition:
I decided to take part because I love rising to a challenge, but who can say no to an all expenses paid boys trip?
Qualities you look for in a partner:
Kindness, likes dogs and supports me through all of my hobbies.
Best pick up line:
If you can’t handle me in my bulking phase, you don’t deserve my in my competition phase.

Dom Martinelli.

4. Name: Reina Henare
Age: 27
Occupation: Entrepreneur

Calm and collected, Reina loves to go to the gym and church and owns three businesses M7 Construction, Parlour Collective and First Nation Start Up.

The business owner said he would use the skills he had gained through his businesses and apply them to the challenges.

“As someone who has started three businesses with little to no investment or income, I know how important it is to stick to budget and plans,” he said.

“This teaches you to become frugal really quick.”
Reason for signing up to competition:
The prize is pretty awesome … I’d love to allocate the money to an initiative my business runs, where we take a group of people to indigenous communities to help bring hope and identity to our First Nations communities.
Qualities you look for in a partner:
She needs to know what she wants, be family-orientated and we need to share the same values … I also look for loyalty, selflessness and strength.
What’s your most interesting talent:
I think I’ve got a pretty good singing voice, so don’t be surprised if you find me serenading my date.

Reina Henare.

5. Name: Blake Jones
Age: 20
Occupation: Undergraduate nurse at Toowoomba Hospital

His style is inspired by Dr Matt Smith from television series Dr Who, and Blake is a self-proclaimed Whovian.

Not a big fan of sports, this undergraduate nurse would prefer to stay at home and read a book.

Touchingly, Blake first realised he wanted to become a nurse when his own grandmother was nearing the end of her life.

Seeing the huge impact nurses had on his and his family’s life at this time, it was then Blake knew he wanted to do the same thing for others.

Now the undergraduate is in the race to become the region’s most frugal Bachelor.

“I am known to be frugal,” he said.

“Saving is one of my strengths, and I have a great investment portfolio that assists me with this.”
Competition strategy:
I’ll be fine with the money challenges … but I am curious about the details of the date challenge.
Qualities you look for in a partner:
Good with money, great personality and an overall great person.
Best pick up line:
I’m researching some important dates in history … do you want to be mine?

Blake Jones.

6. Name: Paddy Ryan
Age: 58
Occupation: Real estate agent

You may recognise Paddy from his lengthy career as a real estate agent.

Dedicated to finding the dream home for others, the agent said his job was very enjoyable. With more than a decade of experience working in the industry, Paddy works at NGU Real Estate.

For every commission of sale he receives, Paddy donates $200 to Hope Horizons – an organisation that offers support to cancer patients and their families.

Paddy said he would draw on his wisdom and life experience when going into challenges.

“I’ve learnt a lot of lessons over the years, so I think my life experience definitely qualifies me as Toowoomba’s Most Frugal bachelor,” he said.

“My mates nominated me to participate in the challenge … it sounded like a lot of fun, so I just said yes.”
Competition strategy:
I don’t think I have any specific strategies, but I think when it comes to the date, I’m just going to show the model good old-fashioned chivalry.

Qualities you look for in a partner:
She has to be kind, and she’s got to know who she is.
Best pick up line:
Like wine, I just get better and better with age.

Paddy Ryan.