This document provides updates on several Maritime Welfare organizations: 1) Australia became the 22nd nation to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention. Once 30 nations ratify, the convention will take effect globally in 2013. 2) Geelong's Noah Park plans to visit Manila to reconnect with seafarers and continue his SeaChurch ministry work. 3) Brisbane MTS chair Capt. Dave Ellis balances heavy transport security responsibilities with volunteer work providing services to seafarers. 4) Geraldton's Bill Ross continues fundraising efforts for center renovations while adapting services to seafarers' internet-focused communication needs. 5) Sydney's MTS is relocating to

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GLAD TIDINGS No. 10 PART C
In this edition:
• Maritime Labour
Convention Update
• Geelong’s plan to visit
Manila / SeaChurch
Dennis Claughton at the ILO
• Brisbane and Captain
Dave
Maritime Labour Convention Update
• Geraldton’s Bill Ross
Australia became the twenty will be one of the remaining reflects
second nation to ratify the three nations to ratify on behalf
Maritime Labour Convention at of the one quarter of a million • Sydney is on the move
a ceremony at the International Filipino seafarers that work the
Labour Organisation last world’s oceans. Once thirty
December. Since then another nations actually ratify, all nations
five nations have ratified with of the world will be bound by
Poland being the latest. Only the Convention whether they
another three are needed ratified or not.
which is expected to happen We are planning more
before Christmas, so it is almost workshop/information sessions
certain that the long awaited for MTS personnel to attend
Convention will come into force once the Convention achieves
in 2013. It is hoped that from a full ratification and we will keep
moral perspective the all updated on this.
government of the Philippines
Geelong’s plans to visit Manila / SeaChurch
abour Convention Update
Noah Park plans to return to from seafarers to loved ones in
Manila later this year with some faraway countries. Volunteer
of his dedicated volunteers to Harry Webb gives an added
renew acquaintances with joyful dimension to the videos as
seafarers they have befriended he enters wholeheartedly into
during visits to Geelong. Noah is making the seafarers welcome
delighted with the popularity of to Geelong and joins them in
his Sea Church ministry and song and good cheer. The
continues to upload to YouTube camera loves you Harry but you
many wonderful and poignant need to do a bit more work on
messages and cheerio calls those Russian ballads!
GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 10 Part C

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Brisbane and Captain Dave
Capt Dave Ellis who is chair of threat of piracy to the world’s
the MTS Brisbane and appointed seafarers and shipping industry.
at our last national conference Dave’s wife Marilyn volunteers
to the Australian Council is a at the Brisbane centre and is an
busy man. Dave’s real job is integral part of operations
Manager of Operations & there. Marilyn well knows what
Research - Office of the it is like to have a loved one at
Inspector of Transport Security sea for long periods of time. So
reportable to the Minister for most appropriately when
Infrastructure & Transport, and Marilyn issues directions under
with it comes an extremely the MTS Brisbane flag, Dave
heavy responsibility (as you heads straight in that direction
would expect with a title that without question!
long). The role of the Office is to We are very fortunate to have
inquire into, when directed by such a dedicated team giving
the Minister, a major transport or so much of their time and talent
offshore security incident or a to our ministry in Brisbane port.
pattern of incidents that point to
a systemic failure or possible
weakness of aviation or
maritime transport security
systems in order to strengthen
the nation’s transport security.
Those at our Tasmanian
conference will recall Dave’s
excellent presentations on the
Geraldton’s Bill Ross Reflects
Bill Ross reports that he is still working hard at opportunities for conversation with
trying to raise funding for the much needed seafarers while they are in the Centre.”
renovations to Geraldton’s seafarers Bill’s words are so true, and challenges us to
centre. Bill has moved mountains over the be more creative in the ways we try and
last year or so but is finding the going slow communicate with our visitors so that we do
and hard at present. not lose the all important pastoral
It was interesting to read in Bill’s last report dimension to our work.
(who is a very experienced and popular
seafarers chaplain) that, “ The seafarers are
always appreciative of the service we
provide, pleasant to talk with and
complimentary about our city. Their primary
interest is to contact home, more and more
on the internet rather than the phone, and
check emails and websites. This is a
wonderful facility for them, and
considerably eases the pain of their
separation from home. The other side of the
coin is that their concentration on a
computer screen has reduced the
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3. Sydney is on the Move
The Revd Ian Porter tells us that Sydney MTS ministry will go from
the last few months have been strength to strength in the new
busier than usual for the good premises. As always the caring
folk at the Flying Angel Sydney. Trustees of the Sydney Bethel
The chaplains and staff our Union have been a tower of
preparing to relocate the centre strength and support in guiding
from the historic Sussex Street us through this historic
building to their new and well transformation. A big thank you
appointed Union Street Pyrmont goes out to them.
building on Sydney Harbour. As Ian hopes that they should be
Ian points out the smaller new settled in to the Pyrmont building
premises will require some hard by mid to late August.
decisions on which items, We look forward to him sending
memorabilia and archival some photos of the brand new
records go and which stay, but facility (full of smiling seafarers).
the one thing we know for
certain is that the dedicated
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