News from Hobart, Port Pirie, Wallaroo, Perth, Sydney, Hastings,Geraldton. Papua-New Guinea project and Special award for Fremantle.

1. Glad Tidings
20/12/2010 - Online Supplement – Part Two
HOBART’S SAD LOSS
We recently received into the Derwent River. Hobart the family’s
the sad news of the Geri served on the tradition of caring for all
passing of Geri Hobart committee for seafarers visiting
Ashmore loyal and many years with dignity Hobart.
dedicated member and and grace and will be ( In the image Geri is
secretary of MTS sorely missed. Our receiving from chaplain
Hobart. Geri was a sympathy and best Bruce Mitchell her life
great friend and wishes are extended to membership certificate
supporter of all Geri’s husband Mike, with husband Mike
seafarers that sailed who carries on at MtS beside her).
PORT PIRIE CELEBRATES MERCHANT NAVY DAY
Pirie’s irrepressible lay merchant Navy”. ships with international
chaplain Ian Pole crews visiting the South
Appropriately, Bishop
reports that a moving Australian ports of
Garry Weatherill led the
and colourful Merchant Whyalla, Port Bonython
celebrations attended
Navy Day celebration and Thevenard and has
by a number of
took place this raised the question as to
reflective and
September in Port Pirie. whether we might be able
appreciative former
In Ian’s words, “it was to support them in some
seafarers and
an opportunity and way in the future. The
descendants of those
occasion to give thanks Australian Council will
who had lost their life at
for those who paid the consider the situation
sea.
supreme sacrifice in when it meets in Adelaide
On another theme, Ian
time of war through in the first week of
has pointed out the not
their service to the February next year.
insignificant number of

2. WALLAROO MINISTRY UP AND RUNNING
Brother Martyn them as he served at Wallaroo for the loading
Robinson, our chaplain sea in the merchant of grain has been
at Wallaroo Port on the navy for many years steady over 2010.
western side of the before joining a
Yorke Peninsular has religious congregation
had an enjoyable and to become a religious
rewarding year setting brother. Martyn has
up our new ministry at instant credibility with
Wallaroo. The overseas the seafarers as a
seafarers visiting the result of his track record
port are in good hands at sea, and tells us that
when Martyn greets the ship visits to
HARBOUR
DENNIS CLAUGHTON’S PRESENTATION TO HARBOUR
MASTERS
Fremantle’s chaplain around the globe and have to endure at times
Dennis Claughton flew pleased to hear of the involving stress, fatigue
the MtS flag at an dedicated work our and sleep deprivation.
international conference centres at Albany, Bring on the ratification
for the world’s Harbour Bunbury, Esperance, of the Maritime Labour
Masters held in Perth Fremantle, Geraldton, Convention with all its
earlier this year. For Dampier & Hedland on improved rights for
Dennis it was a golden the Indian Ocean were seafarers.
opportunity to promote carrying out.
the work of the Flying
Angel Fremantle, and to
also make better known
to the conference the
anticipated ratification
of the Maritime Labour
Convention and how it
might impact on the
Australian scene.
Dennis received great
encouragement from
those attending - all of
whom were very
familiar with MtS’ work
SYDNEY FLYING ANGEL RELOCATING
present - as the
Ian Porter, senior supporter of the Sydney
Chinese crews loved
chaplain at MtS Sussex Mission- both spiritually
visiting our Sussex
Street Sydney has and practically and no
Street Mission so
announced that they doubt will continue to
conveniently located
have started the search be so long into the
next to the famous
for new premises in future we pray. It is
Dixon Street in
Sydney to which the hoped that for the sake
Chinatown- and a hop,
mission will relocate. of the many Chinese
step and jump from
For many years the seafarers visiting us,
Darling Harbour’s
Sydney Bethel Union the new premises are
casino. Good luck Ian
has been a wonderful not too far from the
with the search.

3. HASTINGS CENTRE WELL REPRESENTED AT MELBOURNE
FORUM
It was a great pleasure Dann looking very seafarers got justice.
to see Eddie Tearle, spritely and in good Hastings centre which
Peter Coulthurst, and humour. Eddie’s operates ecumenically
Bob Graham from chairmans report to the is a wonderful example
Hasting’s Seafarers AGM noted that of volunteers from a
Centre participating in Hastings has had a number of different
the AMSA Seafarers “slow year” but not faiths working
Welfare Forum. Also without some incidents professionally and
present was the involving Hastings taken harmoniously together.
supposedly retired Keith action to ensure visiting
.
GERALDTON COMMISSIONS BILL ROSS AS PORT CHAPLAIN
The good news out of Port Hedland was lucky volunteering and
Geraldton is that Bill to have Bill with them for treasurership to the
Ross has been many years, and now it mission”. God bless
commissioned as is Geraldton’s good Daphne for her unique
seafaring chaplain to fortune. contribution- she is one
MtS Geraldton. Bill Special should be made special lady who knows
brings to his Geraldton of the recent honour how to care for
ministry consummate bestowed upon seafarers (and balance
skills in the area of treasurer Daphne Dodd books!). Daphne is third
looking after seafarers. who in Bill’s words “has from the left in the
Our seafaring centre in given a life time of image- receiving her
award from the bishop.

4. FREO FLYING ANGEL VOTED ONE OF BEST 5 CENTRES IN
WORLD
“This is quite and promote the Everglades- Miama
honour” was the International Year of (USA). First prize went
response as the news Seafarer. So the staff to Gothenberg but at
came as a shock to the was comfortable with least Fremantle can
staff. Who had “dobbed” this at least. If the boast that they are the
them in was the seafarers are involved it number one seafaring
immediate question must be fair dinkum. As centre in the southern
asked? As it turned out it transpired Fremantle hemisphere (for this
the world’s seafarers Flying Angel club made year at least)! So much
were asked to nominate the list of the top five for Dennis trying
their favourite centre by centres on the planet. desperately to hide his
the International The others centres were light under a bushel.
Christian Maritime Gothenberg (Sweden), The secret is out. Visit
Society. ICMA had Hamburg-Duckdalben www.seafarerswelfarea
introduced these (Germany), Venice wards.org for more
international awards to (Italy) and Port details.
.
THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA SEAFARERS PROJECT
Attending the Perth The Australian Council John Kewa when
Harbour Masters’ was very happy to chaplain at Melbourne
conference was the accept the invitation and helped train visitors from
CEO of PNG Ports has for much of this PNG in the art of
Corporation. Following year worked closely with seafaring hospitality and
Dennis’ presentation we PNG personnel in ship visiting. John
were approached by helping them establish himself was born in
Ports PNG to help them centres at Port Moresby PNG so was ideally
in setting up new and Lae (with another placed to share his
seafaring centres at a six centres planned). knowledge and passion
number of major port for the seafarer with his
locations around PNG. compatriots.