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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Couple back at Finke Desert Race after finding love via social media post

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A couple found love through a social media post in a Finke Desert Race group and are now competing together.
  • Ben Rawcliffe posted an "empty camp chair" photo seeking a "future wife" last year, which went viral.
  • His now-partner, Naomi Findlay, responded to the post, leading to their relationship and shared participation in the race.

For Ben Rawcliffe, the gruelling Tatts Finke Desert Race, an iconic Australian off-road event, presented more than just a test of endurance; it became the unlikely venue for finding love. Last year, tired of dating apps and the demands of his FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) work, Rawcliffe posted a picture of an empty camp chair in front of a fire in a local Finke Desert Race Facebook group with the caption: "Position vacant, future wife."

It just went nuts.

— Ben RawcliffeDescribing the reaction to his social media post seeking a partner.

What followed was an unexpected surge of attention. "It just went nuts," Rawcliffe recalled. The original post garnered hundreds of comments and messages from women across Australia. Among them was Naomi Findlay, who was also seeking a partner within the motorsport community. Findlay, who had been single for several years and felt disheartened by her dating app experiences, saw Rawcliffe's unconventional post as an opportunity.

I really got more into the bikes when I was single… I hoped through that community I'd meet someone, and here I was lining up for my third Finke after a lot of racing, and I hadn't met anyone yet.

— Naomi FindlayExplaining her motivation for responding to Ben Rawcliffe's post.

Findlay decided to message Rawcliffe, despite initial uncertainty. "I really got more into the bikes when I was single… I hoped through that community I'd meet someone, and here I was lining up for my third Finke after a lot of racing, and I hadn't met anyone yet," she said. Their first phone call revealed a strong connection, and within a week, Findlay proposed meeting halfway across Australia.

By probably our third phone call, I was pretty much like, 'Do you want to meet me next weekend halfway across Australia?'

— Naomi FindlayRecounting how she initiated their first meeting.

Their first date involved whale watching and motorbike riding. Rawcliffe described Findlay as "pretty much the person I was trying to find." Since meeting, they have travelled extensively on motorbikes, and Findlay now lives with Rawcliffe in Queensland between her work as a remote community teacher. This year, they are returning to the Finke Desert Race together, with Findlay competing alongside Rawcliffe, who finds it "amazing" to have his partner by his side.

Naomi was pretty much the person I was trying to find.

— Ben RawcliffeExpressing his satisfaction with finding Naomi Findlay.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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