Rob shows commitment to Mates

For Mates founder and president Robert Reekie, attaining Australian citizenship was more than just choosing a place to live.

Mr Reekie took part in the citizenship ceremony yesterday and told the Times he felt good about making Australia his home.

"Being a member of the community, and living here, I really wanted to have a say in how things are done, so of course, I need to be able to vote," he said.

The desire to have a say in how the community is affected could also extend to a step into politics, Mr Reekie said, adding another motive for citizenship.

Originally from New Zealand, Mr Reekie moved to Australia in 1997, spending a few years in Brisbane before moving to Busselton in 2003.

"I came over (to Busselton) to be close to my son," he said.

"Look at the place, it's paradise on earth.

"Look at what we've got down at the waterfront, what the City's created down there. You couldn't find a better place in Australia, it's beautiful."

Almost as soon as he moved to Busselton, Mr Reekie established Mates Men's Support Group, feeling he could help others after going through hardship himself.

The group takes referrals from agencies throughout Busselton to provide support to men facing a range of issues.

Having attained citizenship, Mr Reekie wants to turn the focus back to Mates and push to take it to another level. "We're a self-funded organisation, it's been a struggle, but we've hung in there and done everything and kept all our services running for 12 years," he said.

"What we're doing now is we're throwing a challenge out to the community, and the challenge is 'step up and help us out'.

"We want to carry on doing our services for another 12 years, and in order to do so we need help with the ongoing funding so we can spend more time actually doing our core business and fundraising."

Mr Reekie said the group had an initial goal to raise $250,000 through a number of community members donating $10 a week for one year.

He said the money would in turn boost existing projects and add new ones, including projects focusing on FIFO families, youth, and helping men with child visitation and Family Court issues.

Busselton has supported Mates in the past and Mr Reekie said he had a lot of people congratulate the group on its work.

"We've been here for 12 years, we've walked the walk and talked the talk," he said.

People interested in supporting Mates can contact Mr Reekie on 0439 939 446, visit the Mates Facebook page, or visit the group's op shop on Barlee Street.