Farmer takes on reality show
A 51-YEAR-OLD Geham farmer is giving the younger contestants on Australian Survivor a run for their money.
Mark Herlaar is one of 24 contestants who volunteered to be marooned on a Samoan island for up to 55 days on Channel 10’s reality show.
Stranded in a rugged tropical paradise, Mr Herlaar and his fellow castaways are deprived of basic comforts and faced with torrential rain and intense humidity as they navigate strategic and cunning gameplay.
The winner will walk away with $500,000 in prize money.
Mr Herlaar owns a lime farm in Geham, just north of Toowoomba, and said going on the show was one of his life’s biggest highlights.
“I had an absolute blast, it was an amazing challenge and adventure,” he said.
“It was an enormous physical and mental challenge but it took me on a journey of self-enlightenment.
“Anyone who says they are going on the show just for fun is lying, but winning wasn’t as high on my priority list as some, my main goal was to enjoy myself.
“I have no idea how they will play me out on the show but I think I will come across as a good guy, that was my intention.
“I want to come across as the good guy but I also want my grandkids to see that Poppy can turn it around for the game.”
It was an amazing challenge and adventure. — Mark Herlaar
Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia said Mr Herlaar was very down-to-earth.
“He’s so salt of the earth. Mark’s straight up, a real guy’s guy. He reminds me of Bryan Brown with a big beard. I loved him. A spade’s a spade with him.”
Mr Herlaar said he was proud to represent the Toowoomba region.
“I think it’s great I’m able to put Toowoomba on the map,” he said.
Australian Survivor premiers on Sunday at 7.30pm on Channel 10.