Our Mate-Ship Update! Wellness On Water
Updated: Aug 17
Where We're At & What's Ahead: Exciting Updates from Our Mate-Ship
It's been another busy few months behind the scenes at Our Mate-Ship! We want to share an update on where we're currently at, what's happening across the charity, and what the future looks like.
Wellness on Water is Almost Back!
Our newest vessel is now based at Pelican Waters Marina. Soon, she will be back on the water, delivering our calm and relaxing Wellness on Water experiences. Currently, she is undergoing some electrical upgrades. We want to ensure everything is safe, reliable, and ready for participants. We can't wait to welcome everyone back on board very soon!
Expanding to Bribie Island
One of the most exciting milestones this year is our expansion into the Moreton Bay region.
Our first Wellness on Water – Bribie Island Edition will depart from Sandstone Point Marina this September. This will allow us to support veterans, first responders, and community members living around Bribie Island, Caboolture, Moreton Bay, and Brisbane.
This inaugural event has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Bribie Island SLSC Old Boys. We are incredibly grateful for their belief in what we do.
Our hope is to secure ongoing funding so these events can become a regular part of our calendar. We want to bring the benefits of Wellness on Water to even more people without the need to travel to the Sunshine Coast.
Reel Therapy – One Last Job
Our much-loved Reel Therapy fishing boat has served us incredibly well since being generously donated to the charity.
The final major mechanical job is now underway. The fuel tank is being removed and replaced. Once complete, virtually every significant system on the boat will have been refurbished or replaced. This gives us confidence she'll be operating at her very best.
We plan to sell the vessel and reinvest those funds into a more sustainable future for Our Mate-Ship.
Welcome Aboard "Razzamatazz"
We're also excited to welcome our recently acquired Roberts 25 yacht to the fleet.
Over the coming weeks, she'll be coming out of the water for some much-needed TLC. This includes repairs, antifouling, and general maintenance.
Once she's ready, we'll be offering:
Relaxing canal cruises
Learn-to-sail and sail training experiences
Social racing through the Mooloolaba Yacht Club
We look forward to introducing even more people to the enjoyment and therapeutic benefits of sailing.
Monthly Offshore Fishing Charters
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Salty Charters Pelican Waters. Together, we will offer a monthly offshore fishing charter.
To make these experiences as accessible as possible, we will subsidise participant tickets wherever funding allows. This will help more people experience a fantastic day offshore.
An Honest Update on the Mate-Shed
One thing we've always promised our supporters is honesty.
While we still believe in the original vision behind the Mate-Shed, it simply hasn't gained the momentum needed to become financially sustainable.
Unless something significant changes over the next three months, we'll be closing the Mate-Shed in early November.
If that happens, we'll scale the charity back to one or two vessels and relocate into a storage facility. This will dramatically reduce our ongoing costs, minimise stress on our volunteer team, and allow us to focus our time and resources on what we're here to do—getting people out on the water.
Funding has been extremely limited over the past 12 months. While this isn't the outcome we had hoped for, we believe it's the most responsible path forward to ensure Our Mate-Ship remains sustainable for many years to come.
Sometimes moving forward means simplifying. We're committed to making sure every decision strengthens the long-term future of the charity.
Wednesday Reel Tinkering Sessions
Our dedicated volunteer crew continues to meet every Wednesday at the Mate-Shed. They service, repair, and rebuild fishing rods and reels.
If you've ever wanted to learn how to repair or maintain your own fishing gear, or simply enjoy spending time with a great group of people, we'd love to see you drop in. No experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm!
Winter Merchandise Now Available
Our new Winter Hoodies and Fishing Shirts are now in stock! You can purchase them online or directly from the Mate-Shed.
Every purchase helps fund our free community programs. It supports our mission of improving well-being through time on the water.
Win One of Two Brand New Boats!
Our major fundraising raffle is now live! You could win one of two brand-new 4.2m RHIB boat packages.
The first winner chooses which boat they would like, while the second winner takes home the remaining package. This means both winners walk away with an incredible prize!
Every ticket sold directly supports Our Mate-Ship. It helps us continue delivering free Wellness on Water experiences for veterans, emergency service personnel, their families, carers, and other members of our community.
Thank You
None of what we do would be possible without the incredible support of our volunteers, participants, sponsors, donors, and community.
Whether you've attended an event, volunteered your time, bought some merchandise, purchased a raffle ticket, shared one of our posts, or simply told someone about Our Mate-Ship—you've helped make a difference.
While the year has certainly presented its challenges, we're genuinely excited about what's ahead. By focusing on sustainable programs, expanding into new communities, and continuing to adapt where needed, we're confident Our Mate-Ship will continue changing lives for many years to come.
We look forward to seeing you out on the water soon!
Best regards,
Shane Dimech
Founder | Our Mate-Ship Limited
ABN: 98 680 408 306
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