Spirit of Mateship gets set for Hamilton Island Race Week 2014

by Zoe Russell on 14 Aug 2014 Hamilton Island Race Week 2014 - The Volvo 60 ‘Spirit of Mateship’ will arrive at Hamilton Island this afternoon ahead of an action-packed week of racing for the annual Audi Hamilton Island Race Week (August 16 to 23).

The ‘Spirit of Mateship’ is steered by Mates4Mates, a national charitable organisation set up by RSL (Queensland Branch) to provide services, welfare and treatment programs to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and ill current and former ADF personnel and their families.

Skipper Russell McCart and crew will be joined by six Brave Mates who’ll arrive on the Island tomorrow for final preparations ahead of the ‘Spirit of Mateship’s’ first race on Sunday.

Janny Poate’s son Private Robert Poate was killed along with two other Australian soldiers by enemy fire in Afghanistan in 2012.

Mrs Poate said she put her hand up to be involved in the challenge because she loves sailing and finds comfort being the ‘mum’ to other mates going through a tough time.

'I did a challenge with some of the boys who knew my son with Mates4Mates last year and we all hurt and cried together but it was a healing process,' Mrs Poate said.

'I don’t have my son anymore but I can be a mum to others and that’s why I want to be involved with Mates4Mates.'

Ross ‘Macca’ McIntosh from Kingaroy is also taking part.

The 36 year old married father of two was medically discharged from the Australian Defence Force last year after 15 years in the Army including deployments to Iraq, East Timor and Egypt.

'I got angry and stayed angry for about a decade as a result of things that happened during my service,' Macca said.

'Mates4Mates has been really supportive to me and my family and I’m really looking forward to this sailing challenge.

'I’m terrified of leaving my comfort zone but everyone on board has something in common which will make it easier to relax.'

Craig ‘Doc’ McCarthy from Banora Point at Tweed Heads was also medically discharged from the Australian Defence Force in 2006.

The 51 year old left the service with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and parachuting injuries after 26 years of service including deployments to East Timor and the Middle East.

'Being involved in Hamilton Island Race Week with the ‘Spirit of Mateship’ gives me something to strive for,' Craig said.

'It gets me out of the house, gives me a goal and something to look forward to.

'It allows me to work as a team again with people who are all in the same boat with injuries and illnesses.'

Mates4Mates Chief Operating Officer Michael Quinn said it’s an amazing opportunity for the Brave Mates who had been selected as part of Mates4Mates’ rehabilitation programs.

'Our Brave Mates are current and former ADF personnel and their families who have been through tough times mentally and physically, and taking part in the Hamilton Island Race Week on board the ‘Spirit of Mateship’ is part of the healing process,' Mr Quinn said.

'The sailing challenge is designed to stretch them to their limits in a positive environment by providing motivation, hardship, uncertainty and by building trust with fellow mates.'

The Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is in its ninth year.

About Mates4Mates

• Mates4Mates is a not for profit charity initiated by RSL (Queensland branch) which provides support to wounded, injured or ill current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families.
• Mates4Mates is designed to complement and enhance the capability of the ADF to support their current and ex-serving personnel and their families.
• Mates4Mates is an independent, apolitical and non-religious organisation offering services like physical rehabilitation, psychological services, counselling, career coaching and adventure challenges.
• Mates4Mates harnesses the strength of an iconic Australian trait – mateship - to help them rebuild their life skills and emotional resilience.
• Mates4Mates receives no government funding and relies heavily on the generosity and support of individuals, communities and businesses to provide unshakeable support for these remarkable men and women.
Website – www.mates4mates.org

Fast Facts - Spirit of Mateship
Make - Volvo Ocean 60
Designer – Laurie Davidson
Builder – Cooksons, NZ
Construction – Kevlar composite

LOA - 19.46 mt. (65 ft.)
Beam - 5.25
Draft - 3.96

Built using SP unidirectional reinforcements and a wet-preg process, where resins are at an unprecedented level of accuracy in the construction i.e. almost no fairing compound needs to be used.
• Formerly known as Djuice Dragons.
• Competed in the 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race under the Norwegian flag.
• Bought in 2012 by yachtsman Andrew Wenham, relocated to Australia and renamed Southern Excellence.
• Extensively refurbished and had significant success in a number of bluewater classics including the 2012 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
• Bought by RSL (Queensland Branch) in 2013 and renamed Spirit of Mateship.
• 22nd in line honours and first in PHS Division one in 2013 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
• The Spirit of Mateship has also taken part in the Brisbane to Gladstone and Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Races this Event website