At Matthews Steer Accountants & Advisors, we believe strong businesses are built on strong communities, and we’re passionate about making a positive impact in the places where we live and work.
One of the ways we do this is through our Success Stories Breakfasts, a biannual event designed to educate, inspire, and connect. The event is held in Essendon and attracts attendees from across Melbourne, and as far as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. These breakfasts bring together business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and community members for a leading business networking experience, featuring high-impact guest speakers.
Why We Host the Success Stories Breakfasts
Since 2000, our Success Stories Breakfasts have been a platform for celebrating achievement, sharing knowledge, and strengthening our business networks. Each event features a guest speaker (or panel) from a family business, who shares their journey of growth, resilience and achievement, often detailing the challenges they’ve overcome along the way.
Our aim is to:
- Provide real-world insights into business and personal success
- Spark meaningful conversations between business leaders
- Build connections that drive collaboration and opportunity across industries through business networking initiatives
The Format
Hosted from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on a Friday morning twice a year, in March and October, our breakfasts are engaging and filled with practical takeaways.
Our MC, former Channel Nine reporter Dougal Beatty, keeps the energy high and delivers an entertaining, insightful morning. With over 150 guests attending each breakfast, these mornings are a standout on the community calendar and a key business networking event.
Partnering for Greater Impact
Collaboration is at the heart of these breakfasts. Our March event was held in partnership with Melbourne’s North Food Group (MNFG), managed by NORTH Link – an innovative association dedicated to boosting productivity, competitiveness and liveability across Melbourne’s North.
We also collaborate with other relevant industry groups, local schools, and community organisations. This ensures our events deliver not just inspiration, but practical support for businesses and the next generation of leaders.
Investing in the Future
We’re committed to investing in future leaders. That’s why we invite accounting students from local schools and VU to attend, giving them exposure to the journeys of successful business professionals. Through partnerships with local schools, we ensure students from diverse backgrounds can access these events, gain insight into different career paths, and start building valuable connections through our business networking events.
Celebrating Past Speakers
Over the years, we’ve been proud to host inspiring speakers, including:
- That’s Amore Cheese founder Giorgio Linguanti & CEO Marco Alghisi
- Susan Alberti AC – Businesswoman and philanthropist
- Tony De Domenico OAM – Chairman of Bertocchi
- Gareth Hearnden – Managing Director of Norman Carriers
- Melanie Gill – CEO of Helping Hands Mission
Each story is different, but all have inspired our audience to think bigger, adapt faster, and support each other in business and beyond.
Next Business Networking Event – October 2025
MPE Group: A Story of Succession
We’re excited to welcome MPE Group for a special panel on succession planning. Hear from founder Bernie Olanda, Director and current GM Francis Mezzatesta, and Bernie’s three sons. As Directors in the business, they share the challenges and opportunities of passing the torch to the next generation. This session is not just inspiring but also a valuable opportunity for business networking and connecting local professionals.
At Matthews Steer, whether through Accounting, Business Advisory, Innovation and Grants, or Wealth Advisory, our goal is the same. To help clients and the community thrive together.
We look forward to continuing to celebrate the stories that shape our community.
Interested in attending? Send us an email at events@matsteer.com.au.