Your Mates Brewing Co.’s Mateship Foundation is set to host its annual Meats with Mates on 14 November, drawing hundreds of locals together at the Sunshine Coast brewery to raise awareness and funds for men’s mental health.
Six years ago, the Your Mates crew threw its very first Meats with Mates lunch to celebrate mateship, good food and raise money and it has since grown into a beloved tradition.
Your Mates Co-Founder and CEO Matt Hepburn reflected on the evolution of the fundraiser and what it means to the team to be back for another year.
“The first one came from our mate Todd Widdicombe from 92.7 Mix FM and the crew at Cotton Tree Meats. It was about 50 blokes having lunch, a few beers, and raising some money for men doing it tough.
“What started as a simple idea to get a few mates together has become one of the most meaningful days of the year for us. It reminds us why we started in the first place – good food, good beer, and raising awareness and a glass to mental health. Every year it just keeps growing, and it shows how powerful mateship can be when people come together,” he told Beer & Brewer.
Since its inception, The Mateship Foundation has raised over $180,000 for local Queensland charities.
This year, the team is aiming to push the total to $250,000, with all profits going directly to the Mateship Foundation, supporting Integrated Family and Youth Service (IFYS) and Grab Life By The Balls.
“It’s a massive milestone for us. Reaching $250,000 means we can back more grassroots groups across Queensland who are making real change in their communities. It’ll help us create more men’s meet ups, more real conversations, and more moments of connection. It’s not about big cheques or headlines. It’s about impact right here in our own backyard,” explained Hepburn.
Reflecting on The Mateship Foundation’s success to date, Hepburn noted the important lessons the team have learned along the way.
“It takes a lot of effort, but we’ve started to find our rhythm. We’ve learned that most charities struggle to raise big money through events. We know how to throw a good party, so we take care of the planning, the prizes, and the setup so more of the money goes straight to the people doing the real work. No middleman, just mates helping mates.
“The biggest lesson though is that it’s not all about the money. It’s about connection. It’s about creating spaces where blokes can have a yarn, share a laugh, and feel comfortable opening up. That’s where the real impact is,” he said.
Hepburn added that the secret to Meats with Mates’ success has always been about keeping things simple and genuine.
“It’s not fancy. It’s not a corporate event or black-tie dinner. It’s party shirts, good times, and everyone is welcome. We focus on connection, not presentation. It’s about bringing all walks of life together – white collar, blue collar, whoever you are – and making it a comfortable environment where everyone feels part of it.”
This year’s event will be the biggest to date, with more than $50,000 in raffles and auction prizes on offer, and every dollar of profit going directly to support mental health.
The afternoon will also feature guest speakers, a comedy set from Funny Coast Comedy, live music from Your Mates DJ (co-founder Christen McGarry), plus more.
“People can expect another cracking day with epic raffles, a lucky door prize, and unreal prizes again this year – fishing trips, getaway packages, local experiences, and a few surprises.
“We’ve got some great speakers lined up, sharing real stories about mateship and mental health, with plenty of laughs along the way. And the Mateship Wheel, that’s our fun little way of keeping things light while raising more money. Give it a spin, have a laugh, and help out a bloody good cause at the same time,” said Hepburn.
Tickets are $175 and include four courses of slow cooked meats and a four-hour drinks package.
