A rather unique opportunity has been offered to local farm worker Andreas (Andy) Johannson, who has been working for 'Argyle Food Pastoral' in Galong for the past two years. He has been offered a spot on the Swedish version of 'The Farmer wants a Wife' which, all going to plan, will be filmed in Harden Murrumburrah over the coming few months.
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"In Sweden, where I am from, everyone wants to go to Australia." Mr Johansson said. "I was contacted by Channel 4 in Sweden and asked if I would like to take part in the program. I did a couple of phone interviews and I was offered a spot."
For those of you who have not seen the Australian version of the show, the premise is that farmers do not have the opportunity to meet potential wives and girlfriends, because they are always working on the farm. The producers set up suitable 'dates' for the farmer, with the idea being, he will find his 'perfect match'.
The Swedish version will work in a similar way, but the potential wife/girlfriends will be bought our from Sweden for filming.
"We need to rent a three or four bedroom house in Harden Murrumburrah for at least six to twelve months, to allow for filming and then for us to live in. I currently live on the farm in a shed, which will not be big enough, or suitable for the program to be filmed around."
Mr Johannson left Sweden when he finished school and worked for a while in Norway on farms, before joining the Army and serving in Africa before heading to Australia.
"The program will be filmed for about a week before Christmas, and then for a further eight weeks early next year." Mr Johansson said. "At this stage, we are not sure if i will be the only Australian farmer, or if there will be others around Australia. It could be that there will be episodes filmed in other countries as well. The program will be seen all over the world, televised throughout Europe, but available everywhere else on the internet."
If you don't recognise Mr Johansson's face, you may recognise his alter-ego, 'Panky the Panda', who is the 'Joan's Wish, putting an end to Pancreatic Cancer' mascot.
"That was one of the things the program was interested in about me, that I do some charity work here in Australia." Mr Johansson said.
"When the filming is happening, it will be a great way to promote the 'Joan's Wish' charity and a great way for the people of Sweden to see more of Australia and especially Harden Murrumburrah. We can expect a lot of Swedish tourists after the show has aired."
If you have a home that you think would be suitable for filming, please contact the Harden Express on 0466 347 221.