This newsletter provides updates from Mission to Seafarers centers around Australia. Key points include: - New port chaplains have been commissioned in Newcastle and Gladstone. - The Geraldton and Port Pirie centers have reopened after renovations. - Representatives from the Australian Council will attend the MtS Consultative Forum in Belfast to share the Australian perspective. - The new MtS website is still under construction. Several centers received new buses donated by the ITF. - Upcoming events include the MtS national conference in September and Sea Sunday in July. - Brief updates are provided on activities and personnel changes at various centers around the country.

1. GLAD TIDINGS
Newsletter No.4
Editorial
expected but hopefully we are not far off
“going to air”. Previous editions of “Glad
Tidings” have been fairly bulky and it was our
intention to do a much briefer version of the
newsletter for circulation this year, and refer
readers to the new website for the full version.
In the interim, this version of “Glad Tidings” is
a compromise- not as short as hoped but
briefer than previous ones. You will be able to
access the full version of this newsletter on
Greetings to all our readers. This is the the new website soon.
first newsletter for 2009. My apologies for
taking so long to put it together but it Mission to Seafarers Belfast Forum
has been a hectic three months. There is Next month Bishop Garry, Graham Miller, Ian
no shortage of news, just time to get it Porter and myself as members of the
into print. I have been “on the road” for Australian Council will be attending the MtS
much of the last three months, involving Consultative Forum in Belfast. The agenda
work with our seafaring centres in all six looks full and challenging, and thankfully all
states. four of us have been allocated sessions to
National Council meeting in Fremantle give presentations on different issue affecting
As most would know, at the end of January, our work here. So be assured that the rest of
the MtS Australian Council met over two days the MtS global family will hear plenty from an
at the Flying Angel Club Fremantle. Thank Aussie perspective. The next newsletter will
you very much to Dennis Claughton for his provide a good opportunity to give you ample
great hospitality and kindness in looking after feedback on our Belfast experience. We are
us with beds, food and a meeting room. very much looking forward to making a
These two days together gave us an contribution. We would value your prayers for
opportunity to work on preparation for the the success of the Forum as well. As many of
September conference. It was also an you would already know Bill Christianson is
opportunity to meet with the hard working retiring shortly after the Conference- so we
staff and volunteers at the Fremantle centre. have the perfect opportunity to thank him on
Our next national council meeting will take behalf of all our Aussie centres for his unique
place at the end of the Rockingham contribution to the life of the MtS ministry
conference, although the present council worldwide, and to wish him great happiness in
members will communicate before that in a his future endeavours. I hope that you enjoy
telephone link up planned for 9 June 2009 and find helpful the news that follows. And
New website please send your stories and news items for
Late last year, we retired the original Mission the next edition planned for the end of June.
to Seafarers Australian Council website, and Colin Brown
since then we have been constructing a brand National Liaison & Support Officer
new one. This task has taken us longer than Mission to Seafarers
Australian Council. March, 2009
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2. Commissioning at Newcastle site Service to celebrate the new start for the
Cathedral Centre , spoke very warmly of the tremendous
effort put in by the many new volunteers who
had rallied behind him to get the centre back on
its feet.
[Bishop Brian & Rev’d Garry Dodd]
Newcastle has a new port chaplain.
The Revd Garry Dodd was commissioned for
his new ministry during the Lenten Sunday
Evening Liturgy at Christ Church Cathedral on [Geraldton seafarers visiting centre]
8 March last. The proudest participant at the
commissioning was Garry’s 8 year old
daughter Abi, who had a front pew position to
cheer her dad on.
[Geraldton’s volunteers]
An invaluable contribution has been made by
Garry is ideally suited to the maritime the Geraldton Port Authority as well in help
ministry with degrees in the social sciences get the centre back on its feet for which Philip
and psychology and comes to our Newcastle is extremely thankful. Philip’s wife Kath has
Seafaring Centre after 8 years as priest of the been a tower of strength behind the scenes
Cooks Hill parish in Newcastle. Good luck as has Sue Happ. Bishop David Mulready led
Garry with the new adventure- as chaplain to the outdoor Service and demonstrated his
the world’s biggest coal exporting port- commitment to ensuring that the Centre
You will not be bored! remains strong and viable by signing up to
volunteer on Thursday nights. That’s
Rededication in Geraldton leadership! It was very pleasing to see Justin
After almost 12 months of hard work the Bianchini the Catholic Bishop of Geraldton
MtS Geraldton team has finally reopened sitting with Bishop David at the Service and
the entrance door to the Geraldton Seafaring both praying for the well being of the new
Centre. The Revd Philip Knife, during the on ministry at Geraldton port. Bishop Justin is the
Bishop Promoter of the Apostleship of the
Sea in Australia.
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3. Another Commissioning in Gladstone taught that Gladstone is in the world’s top five
biggest coal exporting ports, not far behind
Newcastle- and that their dad has a big job to
do. So Sarah, Naomi, Steven, Hannah &
Jemmah please be kind to him [and to mum
also of course]
Fremantle Meeting Australia Council
[ Trevor & Jenny Phillips with Bishop Godfrey & Fr Mike]
As mentioned earlier, the MtS council
members held their two day meeting at the
Flying Angel club in Fremantle. There was
more than enough on the agenda, but the
council made sure that a considerable
amount of time was given to planning for the
conference which fast approaches. Several
[The Phillips crew - Sarah, Naomi, reminders have already been sent about
Steven, Hannah & Jemmah] registering for the conference and organizing
Gladstone Seafaring Centre was in a travel details. Dennis’ Fremantle team has
celebratory mood on the last Saturday in very kindly offered to help with the airport
January. Bishop Godfrey Fryar in the pick ups of the conference attenders, and
Centre’s chapel, led a joyous liturgy more detail on this will come from Graham
celebrating the commissioning of Trevor Miller closer to the event.
Phillips as Lay Chaplain and Manager of
the Mission to Seafarers, Gladstone. Fr Melbourne’s big Feasibility Study
Mike Vercoe has passed the torch onto
Trevor. Trevor who transferred from our
Brisbane MtS centre did not come alone.
His greatest supporters- wife Jenny and
five of the six kids accompanied him, all
ready to make a brand new start in
Gladstone. That’s faith- and the Phillips’
are not in short supply of this amazing
ingredient! Jenny who is a nursing sister has
been snapped up by the local hospital, and
according to the latest reports, the kids have
settled well into their new schools and
already learning how to tell a tanker from a
tug. No doubt, they will also be
[Archbishop Philip & ITF’s Matt Purcell]
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4. Late last year a consultant was engaged Still in Port Kembla
by the Melbourne Port Welfare Association to
undertake some research into the feasibility of
just one single seafaring centre serving the
seafarers to Melbourne. Such a study project
has very serious implications for the operation
of Melbourne’s existing centres, including our
one at 717 Flinders St Docklands. The Revd
Ken Cahill has made a significant contribution
to the Study and monitors the situation very
closely. The Australian Council also made a
submission providing a national perspective
to local aspirations.
On a more practical note, Melbourne MtS’
shiny new bus was presented by ITF’s Matt [Dave Masters at the workgroup’s
Purcell, and blessed by Archbishop Philip whiteboard]
Freier at the Centre recently. Ken reassures Dave Masters held a brainstorming/planning
us that the bus is badly needed and will be day for many of his volunteers last month. It
put to immediate work on the roads and was a very valuable day in terms of visioning
docks of Melbourne. Thank you ITF for your for the future. A number of volunteers
great generosity- it keeps us mobile! commented that they were very pleased to
have had some ‘quality time’ with Dave and
Port Kembla is revving up as well their mates, to “have a good hard look” at how
the centre might improve its care of the
visiting seafarers to Port Kembla. The
volunteers recommend the value of these
types of “workshops/funshops” to all our
centres.
Our Comrades in Arms
[ Port Kembla’s intrepid drivers]
After waiting patiently for some time Port
Kembla’s new bus, again courtesy of the ITF,
arrived recently. The faithful turned out in
force to crack a bottle of champagne [alcohol
free] over the wheel and cut the ribbon. Dave
Masters led the gathering in prayer for the
safety of those who drive and travel in the [Col & Australia’s ITF reps - Dean
new white beast. The reporter from the local Summers in middle with biggest smile]
Illawarra Mercury newspaper was there to ITF’s Dean Summers kindly invited Col
trumpet our centre’s good fortune to all its to give a presentation to a group of his
readers throughout the “Gong”. ITF inspectors meeting in Sydney, in
The good publicity is always welcome. January. It gave Col the perfect
opportunity to boast about the great
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5. work all our MtS people were doing around The seafarer visiting Albany is guaranteed a
the nation, and to thank ITF for their warm and friendly reception from our mob.
unflagging support of our efforts. For many years, Norm Stevens has been
Col enjoyed the very humorous stories MtS’ main ship visitor and the first smiling
told to him by the inspectors, and gained face the seafarers encounter in Albany. Let’s
further insight into the deep commitment hope that Norm keeps powering on- those
and passion they share for championing seafarers need you mate. Alan and Col later
the cause of the seafarer. We should never in the day met with the CEO of Albany Port
underestimate how critical their work is. In Authority to discuss ways in which we could
these grim economic times their job triples in work more closely together to benefit our own
importance to ensure that the rights of centre and the visiting seafarers to Princess
seafarers are not downtrodden, but respected Royal Harbor [part of King Georges Sound]-
and advanced. one of the most scenically beautiful harbors
anywhere on God’s Earth.
Beautiful Albany
Tropical Townsville……
Graham’s award
[Norm Stevens and his bus]
[Graham Miller receives award on
behalf of MtS Townsville]
Graham Miller will be highly embarrassed to
read this section of the newsletter but one
should not hide their light under a bushel [or a
bundle of sugar cane]. A little while back
Graham received Townsville’s very sought
after “Business Excellence Award” on behalf
of the Mission to Seafarers Townsville.
The annual award is made available by the
Townsville Chamber of Commerce, and the
[The Albany engine room] presentation took place at the local Westpac
The Revd Alan Taylor organized a wonderful Bank where Graham banks the millions of
gathering for Col’s visit to our Albany centre. dollars he brings in annually for the mission.
Col gave a presentation to the volunteers and Now for the pastoral Award!
then handed the floor over to them. The room
bristled with tremendous enthusiasm and
great ideas from the thirty odd participating.
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6. Port Pirie’s face lift
[Rosalind & Rev’d Prue]
Margaret Vivian who is a local historian
[Port Pirie’s Harold, Fay & Ian] and strong supporter and volunteer at the
Col’s visit to South Australia last week centre, showed Col a number of very old
enabled him to spend some time with our photos, letters and books depicting the
Port Pirie volunteers. Ian Pole was in great life of the Lincoln mission in its halcyon
form, showing off the centre’s new look and days. Margaret has preserved this
presenting Col with a very trendy MtS Port fascinating archival material on CD and
Pirie cap to keep the South Australian sun off has copies available for anyone
his face. Although Pirie is not seeing many interested.
overseas seafarers at the moment, those Our great supporters AMWS
that are arriving are in danger of being killed A new newsletter always provides an
by kindness- such is the warmth and good will opportunity to whole heartedly thank our
of the Pirie volunteers. great friends at Australian Maritime Welfare
Society for their unwavering support of our
Port Lincoln’s rich history work. Capt Alan Tait steers the AMWS ship
with great skill and takes a close interest in
our efforts.
Stan Moriarity is our good friend who looks
after the “nuts and bolts” side of things and
ensures that the right invoices are paid at the
right time. Last year twelve of our centres
received financial assistance from AMWS and
every cent of that funding was put to good
use. Thank you AMWS from both MtS and
the visiting seafarer, as you make our work
that much more effective and the seafarer’s
life that much more bearable.
[Port Lincoln’s iconic silos]
When in SA, Col was able to get to Port
Lincoln to meet with the Rev’d Susan Straub,
Rosalind Bascombe and Trevor Rowan who
is the chair of the MtS committee. Trevor is
keen to hold a ship visiting training course in
Port Lincoln in September and Port Kembla’s
Dave Masters expects to be available to offer
the two day course there.
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7. A very warm welcome to John Kewa Many graphic images have been sent around
the world revealing oil covered beaches and
hardworking clean up gangs. The hapless
Filipino captain of the vessel appeared in a
Brisbane court last week. We are pleased to
hear from Adrian Willes Brisbane’s manager,
that one of our MtS ship visitors Anthony
Bertossi, has been able to spend a good deal
of time with the captain to support him
throughout this tragic ordeal. The two have
become firm friends and Anthony’s support
The MtS family is thrilled to have John Kewa
will continue throughout this ordeal.
join Ken Cahill’s Melbourne team. John was
Remember all those involved in your prayers
previously with Stella Maris Melbourne and
please.
did a great amount of ship visiting and
pastoral care work when there. John is well
know to many of our chaplains, as he joined
And finally……
them in the Melbourne course for training
Australian ship visiting instructors, last year.
John who hails from Madang Province PNG,
has many talents and is deeply committed to
and popular with visiting seafarers, especially
those from the Pacific Islands. John has
qualifications in counseling, pastoral and
religious studies. He speaks Pidgin [PNG],
Balama [Vanuata], Solomon Pidgin and
Tagolog [Philipino]. Did we forget to mention
English and a sprinkling of Latin? However, it Sea Sunday - in July will soon be with
should be said that not many seafarers speak us. A visit to the MtS global-UK website
Latin these days. John will provide great will help you keep up to date. It is
support for Ken. He [John not Ken] is expected that this year’s materials will
celebrating his 40 birthday with a party at the
th be dispatched from London in mid April.
Flying Angel on 17 April. Happy birthday and So keep your eye out. If you do not
welcome to the family- and enjoy the new receive anything contact Kathy Baldwin
venture John. Life begins at forty provided at central office.
you survive the party. Last year Ken Cahill did an Aussie
version of some of the resources. Will
Brisbane supports Captain of the Ken be inspired to do something similar
“Pacific Adventurer” this year? Stay tuned and over to Ken!
Most of Australia held its breath as cyclone
battered “Pacific Adventurer” lost containers
then leaked oil off the Queensland coast.
7

8. Darwin progress- we have a couple Bunbury recovering - continues to recover
interested in helping at the East Arm port from its dreadful tragedy last year. Tim
in Darwin. For some time we have been Hopwood was able to visit Fremantle to say”
working to establish a MtS presence hello” to us when we met there in January. It
there and things are looking promising. was heartening to hear how the Bunbury
Hopefully, we will be able to report team was working to overcome the tragedy.
much more in the next newsletter. We listen to Tim’s optimistic plans for the
future of the Centre. The Australian Council
Weipa progress - Col continues discussions pledged to continue its support to the Bunbury
with Rio Tinto Marine about providing support centre.
to help us establish a MtS ministry at Weipa
port. Last month Bishop Bill Ray kindly spent
some time with Col and Graham Miller in his
Townsville office discussing the Weipa
situation. Bill is keen to support our efforts
and we have our fingers crossed that good
things will happen with Bill’s backing.
Hobart course coming - Arthur Hinsley
reports that he hopes to announce a date for
his ship visiting course in Hobart soon. Arthur
ran a very successful one in Burnie last year.
Port Hedland busy - The Revd Bill Ross
reports that the two co-managers Maggie and
Mel Butcher who started last year in Hedland [Seafarer’s Christmas lunch at Bunbury
Mission to Seafarers]
to support Carol and Peter, have moved on.
Fortunately, a new couple has been found to
take their place. Carol Morgan says that Port
Hedland is still as busy as ever in terms of
ship visiting numbers and needy seafarers
visiting the centre.
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