Vyshnavee Wijekumar says she and Thiru met on a blind date in 2011, set up by a mutual friend by email. Both joked about their physical looks before meeting, and their first date ran until their Sydney bar closed. The couple come from different upbringings in Sydney, one on the Northern Beaches and the other in Western Sydney, and their differing views on identity and race sparked both friction and understanding. Over 15 years they have faced moves, marriage, therapy, home ownership and fertility struggles. Wijekumar says a friendship and emotional security have carried them through.
Peridot Theatre will stage Love in Translation, a program of three one-act plays, at the Clayton Theatrette in Clayton from November 12 to 15. The plays explore how people express love, contrasting traditional devotion with modern, fast-paced dating. Love Letters, by A.R. Gurney, follows two lifelong friends who exchange letters and will be presented as a rehearsed reading. Ferris Wheel, by Mary Miller, pairs two lonely people forced to share an old country Ferris wheel. Mary Just Broke Up With This Guy, by Garth Wingfield, follows a woman navigating a run of difficult dates after a six-year relationship ends.
Canberra pilates instructor Layla Wilson, 22, will join the Love Island Australia cast in Fiji after producers contacted her about an unfinished application. She said she was selected after three interviews, including a photo shoot. Jordan Kaho, 24, a Canberran and son of a former Tongan Prime Minister, joins the show as a later bombshell. Season 8 premieres on Monday 26 October 2026 on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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One in seven Australian singles say they have been on dates with people they had little romantic interest in, just to get free drinks, food, concert tickets or holidays. A Finder.com.au national poll found the practice rising, with 32 per cent of Gen Z singles admitting to it. Finder personal finance expert Sarah Megginson said the findings showed how far cost of living pressures had reached into people's social lives. She advised setting a realistic monthly budget for socialising, so people accept dates because they want to rather than for a free meal.
Adelaide woman Delanie Jayne, 27, has built a career posting Disney-themed videos on TikTok and Instagram. She started posting at 23, after a near-fatal car crash led her to pursue her dreams. She met Lorenzo at a Halloween party in 2022, and he later said he would take photos for fans who approached them. The couple moved in together this year. Jayne now has more than 165,000 followers.
A Canberra woman in her fifties shares her dating experiences after 50. She tried online dating, speed dating and a paid dating agency that cost about $3,500. Her encounters ranged from pleasant to unusual, including a date she did not recognise and a visit from her daughter at a tense moment. She concludes that people reveal themselves only over time, and that she has learned to trust herself with what she discovers. She says she is glad she kept going, and that dating after 50 was frustrating, funny and revealing.
A matchmaker says parents often contact her worried that their adult children have never had a partner. Examples include a 23-year-old son with no girlfriend and a 21-year-old daughter who has not yet found love.
Choosing what to wear on a first date can help make a good impression, though no outfit guarantees a second date. The guide's central advice is to dress for the occasion, wear clothes that fit well and choose something comfortable. For a nice dinner, tailored trousers or chinos with a button-down shirt suit most settings. Casual options include jeans with a plain T-shirt for drinks, or lightweight layers for movies and coffee. Avoid overly casual or gym clothes, and keep fragrance light.
The queer Australian vertical micro-drama SITUATIONSHIP will release all 26 episodes globally on National Coming Out Day, October 11. The series stars trans actor Lawrence Hawkins, digital creator Guy Vadas and screen actor Danielle Cormack. It follows Leo, a newcomer to Sydney, who becomes drawn to his housemate Max while exploring dating and his sexuality. Created and directed by Roberto Nascimento, the series is formatted for mobile feeds including TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Chanelle Morris, 27, feared she would be alone forever because of her vision impairment, after many hurtful dating experiences. She met Jed at a women's golf event at a driving range on the Gold Coast. Chanelle says a friend encouraged her to approach him, and Jed asked her on a date two days later. Jed says her vision condition never stopped him from seeing her. The couple now support each other, with Jed helping Chanelle read menus and labels, and she describing how he makes her feel whole.
Dating coach Chad Franklin, known for his TikTok content under the alias @DefundSimping, has faced criticism for sharing clients' private messages to his 512,000 followers. His posts, which often mock dating app interactions, have sparked debate about digital privacy and public humiliation. Hinge's recent trial of screenshot protection in India has reignited discussions about online dating etiquette. Critics argue that sharing screenshots can lead to privacy violations and harassment, while others see it as a necessary safety measure. Franklin, however, believes users should accept the risks of online dating or avoid it altogether.
Singapore has launched a government-funded dating app called FirstDate, exclusively for civil servants aged 21 to 35. The app uses a matching algorithm to provide one potential partner at a time, with government-funded 'date quests' for successful matches. Experts note the app reflects Singapore's focus on efficiency and verification in personal relationships, but are sceptical it will significantly boost declining marriage and fertility rates.
