Record breaking Right Mate Race Day

RIGHT Mate Raceday organisers are hailing their fourth annual event a success after raising a record amount of money and encouraging social connection.

Held on Friday last week at the Geelong Racing Club, around 190 people were in attendance at the group’s major fundraiser for the year.

Right Mate co-founder and director Chris Lytas said it was a phenomenal and really positive day.

“Our keynote speaker Max Rooke was just really raw and honest, you literally could have heard a pin drop when he spoke about his story and where he’s at and what he’s come through.

“[It was] great to have social connection, and the auctions and raffle went really well and we’ve got some good future partnership opportunities out of the day as well, which is really exciting for us.”

One of the main goals for the raceday was to bring more people together and see the support within the community.

“Everything we want the day to be about, which is that focus on social connection was there,” Mr Lytas said.

“It was evident and there was one moment where there wasn’t a race on, literally every table was having a conversation, every person on every table was having a conversation with someone else.

“There were tables mixing with each other and we sat down and went ‘this is what it’s all about.'”

While the final tally is still being calculated, it’s estimated a record-breaking $13,000 was raised from the event, allowing Right Mate to continue their work around men’s mental health.

A live auction and raffle contributed to the money raised with prize donations coming in from key Geelong businesses to make up packages full of accommodation, experiences and gift cards.

“We’re very grateful we’ve got this opportunity and it’s great to see the support continuing, it is tough for a lot of businesses and a lot of people at the moment.

“I think the topic of mental health and especially when it comes to men, still really resonates that there needs to be more done.”

Right Mate plans to hold the event again next year, encouraging people to keep an eye out for the 2026 date.