Sue Armstrong is a huge fan of happily ever afters.
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The mother-of-five and grandmother-of-eight has been single for 14 years and is now looking for her own happily ever after.
That's why she signed up immediately after reading a flyer for a brand new senior speed dating event in Canberra.
The matchmaking event for Canberrans aged 65+ was originally due to take place in mid-October but a major crisis forced the event to be postponed - a serious shortage of men.
The speed dating event is an initiative of Master of Occupational Therapy students at the University of Canberra, inspired by the documentary The Age of Love and aims to "open a space for socialising in Canberra".
Twenty-six women signed up for the original event in October but sadly only two men.
The event is now being held on Thursday November 16 and organisers are calling for more men to be brave enough to register for six short dates on the night.
"Women are probably more social at that age and more likely to jump for an opportunity like that, whereas men might be a bit more reserved and might need a little push," occupational therapy student Anna Ye said.
She said students are visiting men's sheds and sporting clubs across Canberra in the next couple of weeks to generate interest in speed dating among older men.
For Sue Armstrong, 67, the November 16 event can't come soon enough.
"When I saw the flyer I thought 'wow' because how do you meet people otherwise?" Ms Armstrong said.
"At our age you don't go to clubs or bars or dances where young people go.
"So you have to rely on another couple inviting you to a meal where there's another single person but that doesn't happen very often.
"All the men I know are happily married to my girlfriends."
While her big family keeps her busy, Sue said she gets lonely in the late hours of the night and when there's no-one to celebrate special family moments with.
"I'm not 100 per cent sure what I'm looking for, I do get a bit lonely ... at night you just sit and watch telly by yourself and you think it would nice to have someone to cuddle up to," she said.
"And one of the things I've really noticed is I really enjoy my childrens' activities but if I had a partner to share that enjoyment with me - that's what I really miss.
"You know, I'm so proud of my child or grandchild but I've got no-one to say 'look at him' or 'look at her' and I miss that."
The senior speed dating event begins with registration and mingling, before participants sit down to a series of six-minute dates. The session ends with afternoon tea and another chance to mingle with other participants.
No questions are off-limits but prompt cards will be available for those nervous or shy on their dates.
"Just to run the event will be a success because it's something that's never been done before," occupational therapy lecturer Daniela de Castro said.
"We've learnt from our research of senior speed dating events in the US that people find new friends and even people have been married after the events.
"But our goal is to simply to open a space for socialising in Canberra."
Senior speed dating, Thursday November 16, 2pm-4.30pm, Belconnen Community Centre. Tickets $20. For further information and to register for the event visit eventbrite.com.au or phone UC on 6201 2407.
