General News
5 May, 2024
TV viewers eager to see if Karli catches Cupid's arrow
Karli Hinkley is enjoying farm life again, albeit a difference experience to that she had growing up on the family farm in Wilkur.
The Farmer Wants A Wife contestant is still in contention for Farmer Bert's heart, and earlier this week scored a one-on-one date with the pineapple farmer from Wamuran, Queensland.
Afterwards, Karli admitted she was "definitely developing feelings".
The realisation came after discussing with Farmer Bert what their life together would look like should she be the last woman remaining.
Karli moved to Geelong 2010, but was born and bred in the Wimmera.
Despite moving away to study a degree in Management Marketing, she returns to her home town regularly.
She chatted with Wimmera Mallee News about her childhood and time on the show.
"It was an extremely grounding upbringing," Karli said.
"I definitely feel like growing up in the country makes you a grounded person.
"I went to school at Warracknabeal High School, doing all my schooling there, and I had some close friends at school."
'I wasn't actually looking out for farmers. My best friend sent me Bert's profile and she knows well what I like in a guy
Karli Hinkley
Asked about what she loved most about being born and raised in the country, Karli said it was the open space and fresh country air.
"The simple things in life," she said.
It's these things she still loves to come home to, despite living in the city now, and she makes sure she comes back to Wilkur every couple of months.
"I like to fill the cup back up and spend some quality time with my family and enjoy the open spaces," she said.
"It's actually the best. It's a different fulfillment going home."
Karli said she applied for the show for no other reason than to find love.
"I wasn't actually looking out for farmers. My best friend sent me Bert's profile and she knows well what I like in a guy," she said.
But as she has grown older, Karli has realised she wants a country lifestyle and, as Farmer Bert ticked all the boxes on paper, she applied.
One thing, she said, led to another and she found herself on the show.
Watching her journey as it appears on our screens hasn't always been a comfortable experience.
"It's quite surreal, and it's a bit weird because you don't know how they are going to portray you on TV," Karli said.
"But it's been okay so far. They probably could be a little bit nicer to me!"
Her Dad, Ken, and Mum, Vicki, are proud of the way she has carrried herself on screen.
As for whether Karli will get her fairytale finish with Farmer Bert, only she knows that at the moment - and she's sworn to secrecy.
Farmer Wants A Wife continues on Channel 7 from 7pm Sunday.