‘Salvos Mates’ is a recently formed all-blokes team of volunteers.
The origination of the group in late 2024 was to help men under stress in the Noosa region. The Noosa Council awarded a $15,000 community grant to Salvos Mates towards its formation and operating costs in 2025.
Throughout 2025 the volunteer team has built up to around 12 blokes, all Noosa locals.
“It’s a very laid-back group. When new blokes come forward, they are all treated as ‘mates’ whether they are under stress or not. No questions asked.” said Mike Kavali, Salvos Mates Team Leader.
Several activities have been tried out during the year, including day fishing trips on the Noosa River, beach barbecues, talks by others doing similar things helping blokes (like Sam Parker’s ‘Grab Life by the Balls’), coffee get togethers at Thrive Café operated by the Salvos in Weyba Road, and more recently, home handyman jobs for disadvantaged people.
“We are on a winner with the Salvos Mates home handyman team”, said Matt Gluyas, Salvation Army Noosa -Coolum regional head officer, “Vulnerable people in our community can now benefit from this voluntary service, tidying up their gardens and fixing things around their home which they can’t afford to have done by tradies. And some welcome company over a morning tea chat for those living on their own.”
As explained by Mike Kavali, the Salvos Mates blokes and the disadvantaged people they help get a mutual benefit in people contact. “Doing worthwhile things as a volunteer for others in the local community and engaging with people in the process is a good way to reduce your stress levels. As ‘backyard carpenters’ we learn things about construction techniques and using power tools and equipment safely. The resident gets to meet us, chat and joke about the things we do.”
“When tradies do a job for someone at their home, they don’t have time to sit down, relax and chat for half an hour or more with them over a morning tea coffee and cake. To Salvos Mates, this part of the job is more important than the home job itself. That’s why we say: ‘no morning tea and cake means no deal!’ Nearly all of the residents who have engaged us are older people living on their own. They have interesting stories to tell us over a cup of tea about their background and families.”
The resident pays for significant materials costs but pays nothing for Salvos Mates labour. Around 70% of a typical tradies handyman job cost is labour according to Salvos Mates.
The Noosa Council Community grant has enabled Salvos Mates to recruit volunteers, receive courses in understanding men’s mental health, run recreational and support programs to help men under stress, purchase construction equipment, advertise and promote the home handyman service.
The Salvos Mates objectives for 2026 are to grow the volunteer team, expand the home handyman services to include regional towns, learn more about helping blokes overcome stress, and gain more community sponsorships.
