By Parker McKenzie
When Kalorama local Mark Wales won the ninth season of Australian Survivor on his second attempt, he was surprised to have taken out the $500,000 prize.
“Obviously it’s pretty surreal. I just wasn’t expecting it and wasn’t used to that sort of attention and winning. It’s been really good fun,” Mr Wales.
“I feel like going in a second time, I began with a much clearer strategy. I had a much better idea of what to expect.”
After meeting his future wife Sam Gash while competing in Samoa on the second season of the show in 2017, the couple returned for Survivor: Blood and Water, where each competitor was paired with a loved one.
Mr Wales said competing in Queensland compared to Samoa was a totally different environment and experience.
“In Samoa, it rained for the first three weeks heavily day and night. You couldn’t sleep, I lost five kilos in the first week,” he said.
“In Australia, it was really hot and dryer, but at night time you could actually sleep and that made a big difference. I felt like it was an easier environment.”
Mr Wales beat out 23 other competitors — including his wife — in Charters Towers, located in rural Queensland, to be named the sole Survivor.
After being unanimously voted the winner in the final tribal council, Mr Wales paid tribute to his fellow competitors.
“That actually was a really big surprise because the girls also played well. Chrissy played a really good strategic game. Shay had a really good physical game,” he said.
“They outperformed me in their own field, so I was really happy to get the win and even more surprised by the final vote.”
The couple currently lives in Kalorama with their son Harry and were married in Monbulk in 2019.
Mr Wales said the reaction from locals has been positive.
“When we go to the shops and Mt Evelyn and Lilydale, people stop and chat,” he said.
They want to know about the show, and ask questions about different characters. I really like it. It’s fun.”
Mr Wales, who spent 17 years in the military and has worked in the corporate sector and academics, said Survivor “is a good parable for life.”
“People go into Survivor not knowing whether they’re capable of doing things, taking risks or pushing themselves,” he said.
“People are always surprised by what they end up achieving when they actually apply themselves to it,
“It’s a good kind of lesson for everyone, don’t be afraid to push yourself a take a risk, you’ll be surprised at what you might be able to do.”
