Celebrating a decade of impact with Mates4Mates

Now, a decade on, Mates4Mates has grown and helped almost 10,000 current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families connect, recover and move forward in their journey after experiencing service-related physical injuries, mental health impacts and social disconnection. 

From its humble beginnings hosting rehabilitation adventure challenges to raise awareness for those impacted by service, Mates4Mates has expanded to offer a full suite of evidence-based services and programs.  

Over the past 10 years, Mates4Mates has opened centres and provided outreach opportunities in South East and North Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, and expanded its services through online offerings for veterans and their families across the country.  

Through it all, RSL Queensland and Mates4Mates have worked side-by-side to innovate and adapt to ensure the support provided remains scalable, accessible, and available to all. Demand for services has soared, with Mates4Mates providing more than 30,000 occasions of service in 2022 across their mental health and physical rehabilitation services, social connection activities, and Skills for Recovery programs. 

RSL Queensland State President and Mates4Mates Board Chair Major General Stephen Day DSC AM said the growth of Mates4Mates was a testament to how vital and helpful the initiative is.  

“Since Mates4Mates launched a decade ago, we have seen their service and program offerings grow to be more in demand than ever. Our shared understanding of the challenges veterans and their families face has allowed us to work together extending our reach to more people and provide support when and where it is needed most,” MAJGEN Day said. 

“As we reflect on the past, we measure the success of Mates4Mates not only through the number of people we have supported or service centres we have opened, but also by the stories we hear daily about the lives that have been changed.  

“The countless stories of veterans and their families being able to get back to being active and doing the things they love shows us exactly why Mates4Mates was such an important initiative for RSL Queensland to start,” he said. 

Mates4Mates General Manager Emma Whitehead said the organisation planned to continue to evolve and support the needs of veterans and their families into the next 10 years and beyond.  

“The contributions that veterans and their families have made to our nation is significant, and Mates4Mates is proud to have the opportunity to play a role in supporting them,” Ms Whitehead said.  

“We understand that everyone has their own unique experience when they transition out of the Defence Force and that some may encounter challenges when adjusting to civilian life. Ensuring people have access to the support they need is Mates4Mates’ core purpose.  

“I look forward to continuing to build relationships with key organisations, including ex-service organisations and community services, to increase accessibility of services for all veterans and families,” she said.  

Together, RSL Queensland and Mates4Mates will continue to focus on veterans’ needs and building scalable veteran services that support veterans at every stage of their journey.

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