Less than 2% of Australian women proposed to their partners: time to #QVtakealeap this Leap Year Day 29 February

by

One of the most famous traditions around the ‘leap year’ is that women propose to men on the rare date of 29 February, falling just once in four years. This leap year, media personality Gretel Killeen is calling on women who have proposed or are serious about proposing to and celebrate with an adventurous day at QV Melbourne.

In a study of recent Australian brides, fiancées and women with long-term partners via Australia’s leading and largest bridal fair One Fine Day, QV Melbourne found that less than 2% of all respondents had proposed to their partners with just 4% considering popping the question.

“I’ve always felt there is too much pressure placed on men to propose, and because of this I didn’t want my partner Adam (Martin) to feel like he had to do it. Around September last year I got wind that he was thinking of proposing, so I decided to come up with my own plan,” says survey respondent Cat Jansz.

“I was determined to make him to feel as special and important as he makes me feel. What better way to do that then to ask for his hand in marriage? It ended up being the best surprise; he had no clue what was coming! I proposed to him under the guise of an early birthday present with a day of adventures like The Amazing Race.”

While 45% admitted they would have considered proposing if their partners had not done so first, 49% attested they would never propose to a male partner.

Conversely, 66% agreed that the idea that women shouldn’t propose to men is old fashioned. Yet less than 6% of the same women are actually proposing or thinking about it. So what’s stopping them?

Comic, author and media personality Gretel Killeen proposed to her now ex husband. “I can’t believe more women don’t propose. We’ve fought for equality in every sphere of life, yet when it comes to proposing we gleefully abandon our power and give it all to the bloke,” says Gretel, who was also the Director of Presentations for Tedx Sydney 2013.

“I say come on girls, proposes this Monday! What have you got to lose? I mean sure, the guy might say no…but according to tradition, if he doesn’t accept then he has to give the girl a gift. So it’s a win, win for the ladies. Seize the day!”

Gretel is also encouraging women who have proposed or are serious about proposing to this Leap Year Day with a cheeky couples challenge at QV Melbourne, inspired by Cat’s proposal story.

At 10:00am on Leap Year Day, Monday 29 February, Cat and Adam will complete an adventurous set of challenges along with four other lucky couples. Some big prizes are up for grabs with every entrant winning something.

Enter by emailing qvreception@dexus.com with the story of how you would like to
propose or how you did propose to your partner.

Gretel will direct couples to ‘take a leap’ at QV and complete the following challenges:

1. Dress themselves in matching costumes at Big W
2. Complete a warrior course at Fitness First
3. Recreate a special flower arrangement at Flower Temple
4. Strike out at Strike Bowling
5. Shop for cocktail ingredients at Woolworths
6. Mix the cocktail at Father’s Office (using Woolworth’s ingredients)
7. Build a giant burger stack at Grill’d
8. And finally, wolf down a spicy dish at Red Spice QV before racing back to QV Square!

The couple that completes the challenges and arrives back at QV Square first will receive a Harvey Norman Home Theatre System and Smart TV to the value of $3000. The runners up will receive his and hers Electra Light urban bicycles from Cycles Galleria valued at $1700.

The couple who places third in the race will win ‘Date Night at QV Melbourne’ for a month (4 nights out valued at $750), including cocktails at Father’s Office, dinners at Red Spice QV, Meat Fish Wine and Meshiya Teppanyaki Bar, desserts at Max Brenner, and a Strike Bowling and Escape Room package.

A mini home makeover from Domayne Furniture (valued at $500) will be awarded to fourth place, but the last couple to finish won’t go home empty handed with 50 kilos of apples thanks to Woolworths. How do you like them apples?

But perhaps the greatest prize of all will be that ‘yes’ from a special man.

One Fine Day is Australia’s most stylish and creative Wedding Fair, showcasing a handpicked collection of sought after vendors in the wedding field. The next fair is in Perth on 17 April at Claremont Showgrounds with tickets available here. Visit their directory at onefinedayweddingfair.com.au to find the best wedding and events businesses in Australia.

QV offers the quintessential Melbourne laneway experience with the very best of the city’s shopping, dining and lifestyle destinations under one roof. QV is home to 120 retail stores including premium fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, as well as cosmopolitan cafés and restaurants.

Located in the central retail district of Melbourne’s CBD, QV Melbourne comprises an entire city block between Swanston, Lonsdale, Little Lonsdale and Russell Streets. The 24-hour precinct is home to Melbourne CBD’s largest Woolworths and Big W, Dan Murphy’s, Harvey Norman and Domayne, Officeworks and Platinum Fitness First, as well as two office towers, a five level retail shopping centre, two residential towers and basement car park. www.qv.com.au

Follow the action:

@QVmelbourne
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter