Let Us Introduce You to Team TGMC 2025!
The Great Mate Check-In is made possible by our incredible sponsors, who are the backbone of this important men’s mental health community event in Moreton Bay. These aren’t just businesses; they are passionate partners committed to making a real difference. Through their generous sponsorship, we are able to champion our year-round message and fund vital services through our charity partner, MISA (Men’s Information and Support Association). We are immensely grateful for their belief in our mission and for standing alongside us to create a community where every mate feels seen, heard, and supported.
Our Inspiring Panel Members
Justin Geange
Justin Geange works for suicide prevention charity Mates in Construction. Justin was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 in 2012 and has shared his lived and living experience of suicide and mental illness around Australia and NZ over the last 11 years. He is a plumber by trade and has a patient wife of 30 years and two daughters through IVF.
In 2019 he won the National Communities Matter award at the Suicide Prevention Australia award ceremony and was also the Winner of the 2021 RUOK Barbara Hocking Conversation Champion Award, He is also won multiple awards for his Bush Poetry and Slam Poetry, and in 2023 released his first book of poetry “Connections” and has just released his second book “Holding Hope for our Mates. He was the Brisbane Broncos mascot ‘Buck’ for 18 years and has been on many reality shows including Australia’s Got Talent, Holey Moley and many more.
He is an active member on the Queensland Mental Health Week committee and the Logan Suicide Prevention collaborative, he is passionate about raising awareness and making a difference in regard to suicide prevention and mental health in the construction industry, his local community, Queensland and beyond.
Shaun Reeves
Found of Hip Hops Brewers
Shaun spent decades advising businesses and building communities through his work as founder and director of the accounting firm, SRJ Walker Wayland. However, it wasn’t until his late 50s that he truly began to understand himself, receiving a diagnosis of high-functioning autism and ADHD at 58.
Since his diagnosis, Shaun has spoken openly and honestly about his journey through burnout, the difficult search for identity and self-worth, and the often-hidden pressures that successful men carry beneath the surface.
As a respected business leader, creative, and passionate advocate for connection, Shaun brings an incredibly honest and lived perspective to conversations about mental health. His story serves as a powerful reminder that strength often looks a lot different than past stereotypes and that true understanding is a lifelong journey.
Mitch Gray
Mitch Gray brings a unique and impactful perspective to the stage, drawing on nearly 14 years of experience working in corrections.
His time in this demanding field has given him a profound understanding of the challenges many men face and the crucial importance of social connection. Having personally experienced the consequences of trying to navigate struggles alone, Mitch has a powerful drive to ensure others do not have to walk that path.
Mitch’s message is focused on making sure no one—especially his colleagues—thinks they have to face their battles in isolation. He champions the belief that reaching out and checking on your mates is not just important, but essential for survival and well-being.
Gold Sponsors
Luke Camilleri and team – Aspley Mazda
Why did you choose to get involved with The Great Mate Check-In? “Every year, working in the ‘people game’ with over 140 staff, I see just how important these conversations are, and how the need for them keeps growing. In an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated, the stigma around men’s mental health can still hold people back.
Seeing first-hand the impact of last year’s Great Mate Check-In, we knew we had to deepen our commitment and support in a bigger way which is why we’ve come back as a Gold Sponsor this year.
My role is all about people; making sure my team is performing at their best and, more importantly, recognising when they’re not so we can address it together. I believe a strong, supportive mindset is the key to both personal and professional success and the foundation of a healthier, more resilient team. That’s why I put such a big focus on building a positive workplace culture and keeping an open-door policy, giving my team the support and guidance I wish I’d had when I was starting out.”
Kimberly Young and team – Petrie Real Estate
Why did you choose to get involved with The Great Mate Check-In? “As a proud local business in the Moreton Bay area, our passion at Petrie Real Estate is centered on building genuine, long-term relationships—it’s what makes us feel like a family. That’s why when we heard about The Great Mate Check-In’s mission to foster connections and champion men’s mental health, it resonated deeply with us.
We believe that a strong community is built on a foundation of support, and a simple check-in has the power to change a life. For us, this sponsorship is a natural extension of our values; we’re honoured to be part of an initiative that is creating real, meaningful change where it’s needed most.”
Silver Sponsors
Nikki Paterson – Accomplish Education
www.accomplisheducation.com.au
Why did you choose to get involved with The Great Mate Check-In? “Being a first responder taught me that survival depends on having each other’s backs. Mental health is no different — we thrive when we’re supported. One check-in can change a life. One life can ripple out to impact an entire community.
Now, as a career transition coach, many of the clients I support are seeking change due to burnout, PTSD, or mental health injuries. While coaching offers practical support, I’m increasingly driven to do more — to help address the deeper issues and advocate for better mental health outcomes.
As a mental health advocate and RUOK? Ambassador, this partnership feels like a natural extension of the work I do every day — a powerful way to break down stigma, encourage open conversations, and help build stronger support networks within our community. I’m proud to support an initiative that is creating real change where it’s needed most.”
Shannon Moss – Sandgate & Districts Towing
Why did you choose to get involved with The Great Mate Check-In? “Supporting The Great Mate Check-In was an easy “yes” for me because men’s mental health is something that touches every family, workplace, and community. In business, I see first hand how pressures can pile up the stress, financial strain, long hours especially in my industry and too often it’s men who feel they need to “tough it out” in silence.
Getting involved means helping break down that barrier and reminding our mates that checking in isn’t weakness, it’s strength. For my business, being part of this initiative is about more than numbers or admin; it’s about people. If even one conversation sparked through this campaign helps someone feel less alone or gives them the courage to seek support, then we’ve made a real difference. Supporting men’s mental health aligns deeply with my values, and I’m proud my business can stand beside such an important cause..”
Bronze Sponsors
Robert Hopkinson – Run with Rob
Why did you choose to get involved with The Great Mate Check-in?
“Getting involved with The Great Mate Check-In was an easy decision — it aligns perfectly with what we stand for. Too many men still suffer in silence, and we believe starting conversations can genuinely save lives. Supporting men’s mental health is about showing up, checking in, and reminding blokes they’re not alone.
Stacey and her incredible team have done an amazing job creating a campaign that’s real, relatable, and impactful. Their dedication to shifting the stigma and encouraging honest conversations is exactly what our community needs.
For our business, this isn’t just a campaign — it’s a commitment to being part of real change. We’re proud to stand alongside The Great Mate Check-In and support the important work being done to make mental health support more visible, accessible, and normalised.”
Ben Fehervary – WorkMates Peer Support
Why did you choose to get involved with The Great Mate Check-in?
“At WorkMates Peer Support, we know the power of a simple check-in. We joined The Great Mate Check-In because it’s about more than awareness—it’s about action. Too many men in our community face challenges in silence, and we believe that a genuine conversation can change, and even save, lives. With roots in male-dominated industries, we’ve seen first-hand how stigma and the “just get on with it” culture can stop men from reaching out. Supporting this initiative reflects our commitment to shifting that culture—one conversation at a time. For us, it’s about mates looking out for mates, creating a safe space to talk, and showing that mental health matters just as much as physical health.”
Join the #TeamTGMC Community
Is your Moreton Bay business looking to make a real difference in men’s mental health? We are actively seeking new sponsors and partners to join the #TeamTGMC family. Your valuable support, whether through sponsorship packages, event donations, or in-kind services, is crucial. It directly helps us fund vital programs and grow The Great Mate Check-In as a leading mental health charity event in our community. If you’d like to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how you can stand alongside us, we’d love to hear from you!
The Great Mate Check-In 