Commercial Introduction Agency consultant Mr Val Girlovitch is in Emerald to match Aussie men with Russian women. 4/3/24.2
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By ANNE MiDGLEY
Risk-taking ventures are often regarded with a certain amount of scepticism, but the risks taken by at least three men through an international dating service has led to their marriage or planned marriage this year.
Val Girilovitch is in Emerald and Dysart this weekend conducting interviews with men who are seeking wives.
His area of expertise lies in matching Australian men with women from Russia and the Ukraine, but he can also match Australian women with male partners.
Although sceptics may think Val is exploiting the situation, it is not unusual to his Russian and Ukraine clientele.
"I don't have a problem (with match-making). What is available here is making something positive out of a negative situation in those countries.
(In Russia and the Ukraine) there is a high incidence of alcoholism, lack of men and many who are available don't have a lot to offer.
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"Even on the local scene, many people turn to introduction agencies for relationships."
In fact, when Val was first approached about the idea when he visited Russia in 1993 he, too, was sceptical.
He was first alerted to the potential business by a government-run introduction agency in Krasnodar and set up his operation (Commercial Introduction Agency) in Redcliffe, Brisbane.
He visits the Central Highlands about three times a year and goes to Russia twice a year.
He said that on average one client a week travelled to meet their Russian-Ukraine correspondent.
For their partner to visit Australia, clients usually correspond for about 12 months.
"According to Immigration, they must correspond for a year before entering the fiance business (a visitor can enter Australia on a fiance visa, but must marry within six months). A lot of people (miners), because of their position, write for three or four months before travelling (from Australia to Russia)."
So how does the dating by correspondence begin?
When the Russian-born match-maker arrives in town he sets up office in a motel room, where he conducts two-hour interviews with clients.
"We then go through a selection process and look at what I've got on the books."
He has albums full of information and photographs for prospective clients.
About 70 per cent of information on potential partners is also available on video.
"Once he has made his selection, we try to show him his choice on video. Sometimes they elect one on a video that they did not see in the photo album."
Val does not arrange for visits overseas, but simply acts as an intermediary.
However, he does assist new arrivals to make contact with their nearest local Russian community, which is Gladstone.
To contact Val, phone 015 402102 or, in Brisbane, 07 8832016.
Central Queensland News, Friday, February 24, 1995
