Matchmaker & Co

17/10/2026

Romance is alive and well. You just need to meet the right person.

I have clients who will quietly ask me before a date, “What’s her favourite cocktail?” or “Do you know what her favourite flower is?”

Not because they’re trying too hard.

Because they want to make her feel special.

And sometimes it really is the smallest gestures that make the biggest impression.

A genuine compliment.
Opening the door.
Pulling out her chair.
Standing when she arrives at the table.
Remembering something she mentioned.
Choosing a drink she loves.
Bringing her favourite flower.

Dating should have some romance in it.

I have a male client in his mid 30s with the most beautiful manners and old-fashioned values. I’ve witnessed him stand every single time a woman approaches the table, regardless of who she is.

It is such a small thing, yet every time I see it I think, wow.

Because we don’t see enough of it anymore.

Dating apps may have made meeting people easier, but somewhere along the way I think some of the effort, anticipation and genuine courtship has been lost.

And maybe that is why a small thoughtful gesture can mean so much today.

The women I work with notice these things. They appreciate them. Not because they expect grand gestures or expensive gifts, but because thoughtfulness tells someone:

I considered you.
I wanted this evening to feel special.
I’m happy you’re here.

Romance doesn’t need to be extravagant.

It just needs to be intentional.

And I’m very glad to say there are still men out there who know exactly how to treat a lady.

Amy B

17/10/2026

17/10/2026

It feels like a lifetime ago.
From 17 to 25, my world was film sets, TV shows, commercials, celebrity parties and unforgettable moments. I worked on Mission: Impossible II. The Matrix and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, spent time with George Lucas, hung out with Tom Cruise met Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston just to name a few and appeared on Home and Away, All Saints, Water Rats, Heartbreak High and so many more.

Back then, it all felt normal.
Now, it feels like another life.

A beautiful reminder that one life can hold so many chapters, so many memories and so many incredible stories.

Everyone has a story.
And there is something truly special about sharing yours with someone who sees you, values you and wants to know every part of your journey.

16/10/2026

A lot of men tell me the same thing:

“I want to approach her… but what do I actually say?”

The answer is, you don’t need a clever pick-up line.

You don’t need to perform.
You don’t need to be the funniest man in the room.
And you definitely don’t need a rehearsed script.

You just need enough confidence to start.

A simple:

“Hi, I’m Marcus. What’s your name?”

or

“I didn’t want to miss the chance to come and say hello.”

or

“You looked interesting, so I thought I’d come and introduce myself.”

That’s often enough.

Confidence isn’t having the perfect line. It’s being comfortable enough to introduce yourself, read the room and have a genuine conversation.

Women can usually tell when something is forced.

So keep it simple.
Make eye contact.
Smile.
Be respectful.
And if she seems open to talking, stay curious and ask questions.

You might not get it right every time, and that’s okay.

Confidence comes from actually doing it.

And sometimes the difference between meeting someone and never seeing them again is simply having the courage to say hello.

Matchmaker & Co
Find Love, Without The Apps.

16/10/2026

When an ex still knows exactly which button to press.

Sometimes it’s not the big arguments that get to you.

It’s the little sentence.

The unnecessary dig.
The vague insult.
The comment designed to make you question yourself.

“You know what people think of you.”
“This is why you have the reputation you do.”
“You’re always the problem.”

And even years after a relationship has ended, those words can still land.

Especially when you spent years being conditioned to defend yourself, explain yourself, question your memory or wonder whether maybe you really were the difficult one.

That is what emotional manipulation can do.

It makes you want to prove your character to someone who has already decided on their version of you.

And one of the healthiest things you can eventually learn is this:

You do not have to attend every argument you are invited to.

You don’t have to defend yourself against vague accusations.

You don’t have to convince an ex that you’re a good person.

You don’t have to respond to every insult hidden inside a conversation about the children.

Sometimes the healthiest response is simply:

Answer the practical question. Ignore the personal attack.

And yes, you might still react sometimes.

You might send the angry message.

You might let it get under your skin.

Healing doesn’t mean becoming completely unaffected. It means recognising the pattern faster, recovering faster and gradually giving that person less access to your peace.

Your ex may still know which buttons to press.

The goal is to eventually disconnect the buttons.

That, to me, is moving forward.

And if you’re co-parenting with someone who constantly makes you question yourself, remember this: their opinion of you is not your identity.

I actually think that last line would be excellent as the text on the image:

“Their opinion of you is not your identity.”

They are irrelevant.

16/10/2026

What an incredible night at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta watching Samoa take on France in the Rugby League World Cup

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting with Stephen Crichton’s parents, who were just adorable, and the atmosphere throughout the stadium was electric.

A 78–4 win for Samoa and France really didn’t stand a chance. But what I loved most was seeing so many of these boys back together again. A lot of them have played alongside each other before, and you can genuinely feel that connection. They’re like one big family.

There was so much passion both on and off the field, and the Samoan supporters brought an incredible energy to the night.

Such a great evening, an amazing win, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the World Cup brings.

Matchmaker & Co
Amy B

15/10/2026

High standards aren’t the problem.

Wanting someone attractive, successful, emotionally intelligent, confident, driven, kind, fit and interesting is completely okay.

But there’s a question I think more people need to ask themselves:

Would the person I’m describing be equally excited to meet me?

That can sometimes be a difficult conversation in matchmaking.

We can have a very clear picture of what we want in a partner, but we also need to look at what we’re bringing into a relationship ourselves.

If you want someone who looks after themselves, do you look after yourself?

If you want someone emotionally available, are you emotionally available?

If you want someone successful and driven, are you bringing your own sense of purpose and stability?

If you want someone warm, interesting, affectionate and fun to be around, are you offering those things too?

This isn’t about lowering your standards.

It’s about making sure there is some alignment between what you’re asking for and what you’re offering.

Sometimes the biggest shift in dating comes when we stop only asking, “Are they good enough for me?” and start asking, “Would I be the kind of person they’re looking for too?”

Keep your standards.

Just be prepared to hold yourself to them as well.

The person of your dreams has dreams of their own.

15/10/2026

Three generations, one conversation, and something we’ll now have forever.

Mum, Ivy and I recently sat down together at Think Loud Studios and recorded a family conversation about life, memories, growing up, motherhood and the things we probably don’t always stop and ask each other.

What I loved most about this experience is knowing that years from now, we’ll still have these voices, stories and moments to look back on.

Thank you Think Loud Studios for giving us something incredibly special to keep.

Some memories deserve more than a photo.

15/10/2026

“Don’t worry if your child hasn’t found love.”
This weeks column for Matchmaker & Co in Central Coast Newspapers

15/10/2026

If you find someone you believe is worthy of your trust, love them beautifully.

And if they ever break that trust, remember this:

The greater loss is theirs.

Because you walk away still being the most loving person in that relationship.

You.