Glad Tidings (1)

Our First Newsletter Greetings to all our readers, chaplains managers, ship visitors and loyal volunteers in our 23 Centres around the continent. This is the very first monthly newsletter from the Australian Council for the Mission to Seafarers. Our chairman Bishop Garry Weatherill has asked me, to send regularly to all our Centres, a newsletter keeping everyone abreast of happenings within the MtS Australian family. Because I have the role of Liaison and Support Officer to our Centres, it is logical that I play the ‘roving reporter’ and editor of “Glad Tidings”. I hope that the name sounds alright. It has already been approved by Holly, my 13 year old daughter - who wildly swings from being my greatest fan to my harshest critic! Actually, in the eight months I have been on the job, I have managed to visit 15 of our Centres, and plan to travel to the other eight this year. Indeed, I was very lucky to start my job only 3 weeks before last year’s Katoomba conference, where I spent 5 days with most of our chaplains and managers. This gave me a golden opportunity to listen to their many stories of the local happenings, and begin to understand the needs of those ministering to the unending wave of seafarers visiting our ports.

In the short time I have been working for the MtS Australia Council, I have been inspired by the tremendous dedication of the men and women I have met, many working in isolation, with scarce resources and often at considerable personal sacrifice. But they, with good cheer and grace carry on, to ensure that those many seafarers visiting our shores, experience the love and warmth of the Risen Christ during their short stay on Australian soil. Please send me any news that you would like included in “Glad Tidings”. We are particularly fortunate to have two terrific bishops presently at the helm of the Seafarer’s ministry, and both Garry (West coast) and Godfrey (East coast) encourage your contributions, thoughts and stories. We do not want the newsletter to be dull or not useful. Let’s put it to good use. You can contact me at liaison@mts.org.au and please do.

(+Garry and Col flying the flag at General Synod in Canberra 2007).

Bill & Tom travel far to be with us At our national conference last August in Katoomba (the NSW Blue Mountains), it was a special pleasure to have both the Rev Canon Bill Christianson and the Rev Tom Heffer travel from the UK to join us for the week’s very enjoyable, but hard working conference. As you all know, Bill is based in MtS’ London central office and has the formidable task , as Secretary General of the Mission to Seafarers, of “leading the way”. Bill’s tremendous knowledge of, and concern for the well being of our Australian stations was very evident during his time with us - as was his great warmth, charm and wit that did not go astray in the freezing Blue Mountains environment. It was indeed a bonus for all participating at the conference, that Tom could also be with us to share the experience. Tom holds the position of Director of Chaplaincy within the MtS family. Tom, for some time prior to the conference had invested considerable time, energy and prayer into developing a “big picture” seminal document, “Moving Forward in Mission - Strategy Into Action 2007-2009”. At the conference, Tom laid before us the “big picture” - namely, the MtS Vision -Strategy document in powerpoint format - reflecting on our proud history of 150 years ministry to the globe’s seafarers, challenging our resolve to move with the times, honing our vision in the light of the Risen Christ, and setting down a practical pathway - along which all MtS stations

can journey according to local needs and circumstances. We are very fortunate to have Tom stoking the fire in MtS’ spiritual engine room. I know Tom thoroughly enjoyed his first trip downunder, and managed to visit our centres in Newcastle, Townsville, Melbourne, Geelong and Portland before returning home to London. We hope that he returns soon to share more of his vision with us.

(Col and Bill at Katoomba conference)

Commissionings in Melbourne Melbourne Mission to Seafarers had cause for celebration last October, when the Rev Ken Cahill and Emmanuel Carrington were commissioned by Melbourne Bishop Phillip Huggins. Ken was commissioned as Chaplain to the Port of Melbourne, and Emmanuel Carrington as Lay Assistant Chaplain. The beautiful commissioning service took place, most appropriately, in St Peter the Mariners Chapel in the grounds of the Flying Angel Centre. A large number of supporters, volunteers and friends joined in the celebrations, including Rev Noah Park (Geelong),

Rev Alan Ford (Portland) and Capt. Keith Dann (Hastings). Good luck to both Ken and Emmanuel - they won’t be bored. It seems that they could be called on to do all things except dredge Port Phillip Bay…someone else is doing that!

(Ken and Emmanuel entering the Chapel)

Way Downunder in Tassie

In December, on the day of the Federal elections, Hobart MtS held its annual general meeting . The meeting took place at St George’s Church, Battery Point and was able to peacefully co-exist with the stream of voters entering the church grounds to cast their votes. In the next few days I was able to attend Burnie’s AGM, thanks to a lift from Doug Couzins, and then meet up with Dick Burgess at Devonport. On my last day, I was able to visit Gary Jones, the new manager at Bells Bay, and do some ship visiting with Gary on the mighty Tamar River. Sean Tiernan, who looked after Bell Bay for many years, has moved to Brisbane to work with Stella Maris. Our good wishes and

prayers go with Sean in his new venture. Thankfully, Bell Bay remains in safe hands with Gary watching over all things watery. He is a passionate advocate for the seafarer.

( Burnie’s AGM committee)

(Gary - and his dog welcoming some seafarers visiting Bell Bay)

A Living Legend Attending the Hobart AGM, last December, was 87 year old Jack Tomes. Jack is possibly the longest serving (not the oldest serving) MtS volunteer on planet Earth. Jack first volunteered to help out at the Hobart mission in 1938 at the tender age of 17. Over the past 70 years he has held all the official positions at Hobart MtS including chairman for 10 years. During one rough period when there were no chaplains or volunteers available, Jack worked solo to keep

the mission open. His 70 years of service has been virtually continuous. Only Jack’s serving in World War II slowed him down but still attended the mission when he was at home When the Hobart station moved to its present location in Morrison Street on the waterfront, Jack a builder by trade, built an alter to fit the new chapel, and carved a Flying Angel as a backing beneath the alter with a hidden light to make it a feature. And Jack’s wife, Kath, has been by his side every step of the way. According to Hobart’s chaplain Bruce Mitchell (who no one would accuse of being anorexic), “I suspect that many a seafarers waistline has swelled as a result of Kath’s culinary efforts that still continue.” The latest “Flying Angel News” wrote an article about Jack Tomes and has asked seafaring Centres around the world to contact them if they are aware of any person serving longer than Jack. My money is on Jack - and he is still going strong!

(Jack & Kathy Tomes)

MtS Brisbane’s Big Day in February

As the Queen Victoria effortlessly glided into Fisherman’s Wharf to dock only a few hundred metres from the MtS Seafarers Centre at the entrance to Brisbane Port, it was all hands on deck in the Centre itself. Brisbane MtS was preparing for the arrival of Ms Quentin Bryce the Governor of Queensland, to officially open the newly renovated Mission to Seafarers Brisbane Centre. The Rev Ron Paschke, MtS chaplain who had left no stone unturned to ensure the success of the celebrations was beaming from ear to ear. It was a day to remember for the large gathering - made up of many staff, volunteers, supporters and friends of MtS Brisbane. Following the stirring sounds of the brass band, the Governor duly opened the new Centre. Shortly after, Brisbane’s Bishop Geoff Smith, assisted by Bishop Godfrey Fryar had the joyous task of leading the gathering in a Dedication of the Chapel of St Nicholas - the beautiful and peaceful space set aside for weary seafarers, on the harbour side of the Centre building. A very moving ceremony of service awards to Brisbane’s volunteers - very much the heart and soul of the Brisbane ministry, was also carried out during the afternoon. The great celebrations were tinged with some sadness as it was announced that Ron Paschke would be transferring from MtS Brisbane to take up a position in

the Brisbane parish of Wollongabba. Ron’s position will soon be advertised.

(+Godfrey welcoming the Governor )

Ship Training Course in Melbourne A few weeks back a very important week unfolded in the life of the Mission to Seafarers ministry in Australia. From Monday 25 to Friday 29 April six of our MtS men ( Ian McGilvray- Dampier, Arthur Hinsely-Hobart, Dave Masters-Port Kembla, John Wong-Bunbury, Ken Cahill-Melbourne and John Marcon all the way from Auckland, participated in a course to earn their credentials to become official ship visiting trainers to Australian and NZ ports. Also participating were John Kewa- Melbourne Stella Maris, Anthony Phillips- Brisbane Stella Maris and Rob Flinders- Sydney based with the Seafarers Christian Friend Society. Ken Cahill kindly took time out from his hectic Melboune MtS ministry to write a short and entertaining report on the training course: The ICMA Ship Visitor Training Course. The week looked like it was going to be a big commitment. Monday and Tuesday set aside for the accredited “Ship Welfare

Visitor Training Course” and then from Wednesday to Friday set aside for a “Train the Trainer” course, to be accredited as an official ICSW Ship Welfare Visitor Course Trainer. I gather it was hoped that if local trainers were accredited then it would not be necessary to go to the expense of sending out a trainer from the UK each time enough people in the southern hemisphere could be gathered together. It seems, too, that with a number of local trainers in place many more people would be trained and earn their accreditation from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board who developed, auspiced, supervised and resourced the course. It was going to be quite a commitment as my volunteers had stepped up to the plate to cover me while I was away at the course, 5 days of training and some nights at the Mission catching up with some stuff that I normally do. And then to top it all off on Saturday we were expecting the Navy here in our chapel for a service to celebrate the 107th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Australian Navy. They wanted to start at 10 am!! On a Saturday morning!! After closing the Mission at midnight!!! What was I thinking? Just as well there was a free lunch involved. The first call came from John Wong from Bunbury who had arrived in Melbourne on the “red-eye special” from Perth at some God-awful hour on Sunday morning. Poor John was stranded in Melbourne as his hotel could not book him until the afternoon. Just as well that the casino is open 24 hours and has several very comfortable couches. By Sunday afternoon the crew began to gather at the Kings Gate Hotel. Friends from overseas began to arrive, from New Zealand and from Tasmania – a truly international event! Monday arrived and we all assembled at the Stella Maris Centre in Little Collins Street. We managed to gather enough light to see what we were doing and 10 of us

participated in the course. Damian Crowley took us through our two days of accredited training at a leisurely pace. We all passed the exam. And then the real fun could begin. In spite of my remonstrations we continued to be provided with sandwiches for lunch, so we just had to have a roast for dinner on Thursday when all the Flying Angels could meet with Colin at the recently renovated Melbourne Chaplain’s residence. After several bevvies, the conversation got around to “world domination” and we developed some plans about conducting training courses around the country and how this could be funded, given the extensive distances and travel that would still be involved. So by early April we will know who has been accredited as trainers by ICSW and registered on the Merchant Navy Welfare Board’s database with a course written and developed by Damian Crowley auspiced and accredited by the Nautical Institute and funded by the ITF Seafarer’s Trust. Sounds complicated from over here doesn’t it? But put simply, this very worthwhile course, should over time, be of great benefit in helping the Mission to Seafarers family feel better prepared and able to meet the needs of our visiting seafarers around the country.

The next phase of this project is critical. Our aim over the next six months is to make the ship visiting

course available to as many people as possible, including those that actually ship visit, drive buses, serve at the centre, serve on local committees- anyone in fact who plays a part in making life a little easier for the visiting seafarer. We will try and offer these courses all around Australia. Preliminary plans are afoot for a 3 day course to be offered in Townsville, over 15-17 August 2008. It is hoped that the ports of Brisbane, Townsville, Mackay and Gladstone will send people to participate. MtS Australian Council secretary Graham Miller, will be hosting the Townsville event. Townsville in August sounds perfect! John Wong and Tim Hopwood will offer the course in Bunbury at a date soon to be decided. We hope that people from Esperance, Albany, and Fremantle will join the Bunbury mob there. Ian McGilvray, who has the big challenge of providing training for the Top End, is looking at the logistics of bringing together people from Dampier, Port Hedland and Darwin. When further detail is made available we shall let everyone know. Good luck Ian! Rob Flinders will be providing a course for the Sydney people. Presumably Rob will be in contact with Ian Porter at our Sydney Mission to work out plans for Sydney and Port Botany. Ken Cahill will soon be in a position to announce a date for the Melbourne course. Hastings, Geelong, Melbourne and Portland supporters will participate in this course.

Dave Master who is based at Port Kembla has been given the SA ports to look after. Once Dave gets his big fundraising night out of the way, he will be in contact with our SA ports to work out the best way to serve their needs. Stay tuned SA for further updates. Last but far from least, Tasmania’s Arthur Hinsely is giving thought to the best meeting venue to bring together our Hobart, Bell Bay, Burnie and Devonport people. Launceston has been suggested as a good central venue. Possibly, our very first course will be offered by Arthur in Tassie. We await more news from Arthur on all of this- and when contacting us next, perhaps Arthur could settle the debate about whether Port Arthur was, in fact, named after him! Port Kembla’s Pirates Night

Dave Masters the chaplain at Port Kembla MtS has been very busy organizing a fund raising night to take place at the Illawarra Yacht Club on the 11 April, 2008. Well known ABC Illawarra media personality and great

supporter of the Port Kembla mission Nick Rheinberger is helping plan the night and will act as MC. Some of Wollongong’s local singing talent will be doing their bit on stage. Bishop Garry is also attending and it is expected that he to will be given a gig, to display his Pavarotti-like qualities. We all look forward to that! Please spread the word- for more details contact Dave on 02 4274 6498 or 0414 482 737.

(Separated at Birth?)

Gladstone (SA) hosts Council meeting As many of you will know, the MtS National Council met over the 17-19 January at Bishop Garry’s home in Gladstone, South Australia (not far from Port Pirie). It was a productive meeting attended by Garry (chair), Bishop Godfrey, Ron Paschke (Brisbane), Ian Porter (Sydney), Noah Park (Geelong), Bob Bristow (Fremantle), Alan Taylor (Albany), Graham Miller (Townsville) and Col Brown (National Liaison & Support Officer – adopted by Port Kembla). Copies of the meeting’s minutes have been sent to all stations.

(National Council outside Pirie centre)

Port Pirie Mayoral Welcome & Visit During the National Council’s stay in Gladstone we were able to squeeze in a visit to Port Pirie. MtS’ chaplain Ian Pole pulled a rabbit out the hat to surprise us with a mayoral reception. Pirie’s mayor Geoff Brock, gave us a very warm and welcoming civic reception. It was a great chance for all of us to fly the MtS flag on Bishop Garry’s home soil, and later visit Ian’s volunteers at their mission. Rumours abound that Ian may be running for mayor at the next elections. When asked, Ian strongly denied this ambition, saddled his bike (see photo) and zoomed off into the distance.

(Spot the Flying Angel logo)

Next Council meeting is Brisbane - May The next meeting is set down for Brisbane over 28 - 30 May 2008. So if you have a burning desire to get any issue on the agenda please let Graham Miller know (tel 07 4772 2774). If you are wishing to apply for funding from AMWS or ITF please get your applications to Graham as soon as possible.

Geraldton’s Temporary Closure It has not been all smooth sailing, as of late, for our Seafaring centre in Geraldton WA. Our building in

Geraldton almost next door to the Geraldton Port Authority and the increasingly busy Indian Ocean port, is one of the town’s treasures. Built in 1864, it is possibly Australia’s oldest seafaring mission building - Melbourne MtS commenced its ministry in 1857 but its first location was on an ex-prison hulk on Port Phillip Bay. Maybe Sydney will make claim to this honour but until they can prove otherwise Geraldton gets the prize. Unfortunately, Father time has crept up on our mission building in Geraldton. Power losses and the need for extensive and costly electrical and structural work have caused the Diocesan council to temporarily close the seafaring Centre until the remedial work is carried out (which will also require some serious fundraising efforts). Not surprisingly, our building is heritage listed as it has served as Geraldton’s first school, first Anglican church and first prison cell- not all at the same time! It has a fascinating history and is highly valued as a heritage landmark by the Heritage Council of WA. This fact alone, makes the repairs to the building, more complicated and costly than usual. With a large number of ships now exporting more iron ore than grain out of Geraldton there is a strong call on our services to the visiting seafarer. Many are conscious of this fact, and are working very hard to ensure that we are back in full swing as soon as possible. The Geraldton Port Authority people have been particularly supportive and have generously offered to increase that ongoing support substantially in the

future. We look forward to that very much.

(Geraldton MtS building) MtS & AoS Getting together In a recent exchange of letters, both Bishop Garry Weatherill chair of the Mission to Seafarers Australia and Bishop Justin Bianchini chair of the Apostleship of the Sea Australia, happily agreed to start in motion a series of meetings between the respective organizations. Both bishops are keen for the organizations to explore ways in which we can work more effectively together. And at the same time bring to life new friendships and strengthen existing ones. Many of you would be aware of the great ecumenical work being faithfully carried out in ports such as Newcastle, Hastings, Port Hedland, Gladstone, Botany and others; which serves as a reminder that we still have a long way to go in other ports. The rapidly changing face of the maritime world- the salty ‘sign of the times’ if you like, calls for our very best united Christian response, to ensure that we always strive to do the ‘right thing’ by the overseas seafarer, in Jesus’ name. Then He smiles on us and rejoices!

Sea Sunday Fast Approaching As Sea Sunday fast approaches do not forgot to visit the UK Mission to Seafarers website (www.missiontoseafarers.org/) to download (or order by emailing pr@missiontoseafarers.org ) their excellent Sea Sunday resources. If any centres are doing their own Aussie version please send them to me for broader circulation to those of our centres looking for inspiration. Sea Sunday is to be celebrated on Sunday 13 July this year but of course, might be changed to another Sunday, if it better suits the local natives.

National Volunteers Day It is worth keeping in mind that National Volunteers Day/Week commences around Australia on May 12 until May 18. Use this week of celebrations to “net” some volunteers to help out at your local centre. Some good hints on how to go about this, including enlisting media support can be found by visiting http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html. Try it, as fortune favours the bold.

Updating websites & email lists Presently we are updating all our data bases. As you know our primary way of getting news to all our centres is via the email address allstations@mts.org.au. It is really important that our emails come to the notice of all those who have an interest in welcoming and caring for visiting seafarers visiting our 23 ports. In my travels to our ports, I am always interested in positive feedback that will improve our communications, which is critical to helping all of our centres feel as though each one belongs to the Mission to Seafarers family- that we are all in this remarkable ministry together- from Bishop Garry flying our flag at Canberra’s General Synod to Phyllis buttering the tomato sandwiches to be devoured at Port Kembla’s next fundraising event (it should be said that Phyllis does a damn lot more than that around the place!)

A concerted effort has also been made to update the information about all our Aussie ports on the Mission to Seafarers UK-Global website (visit www.missiontoseafarers.org/). We see this is the best website for the visiting seafarer to Australia to search for information on Aussie ports and available facilities at MtS centres. Finally, the MtS Australian website will undergo some radical cyber surgery. The website will be redesigned to promote the ministry of the Mission to Seafarers Australian Council, as the overarching body to all our 23 centres. The new website will be developed as a tool for promotional, educational, fundraising and advocacy work. I will be looking after this project.

Monthly Reports Please remember to send a copy of your monthly Report to me at liaison@mts.org.au. It helps us feel a part of the life of the local MtS centre and helps us work out how we might be of any assistance in either, day to day or big picture stuff.

My reading the monthly Reports will also help me identify local happenings that could be of interest to all centres. I love receiving Ian McGilvray’s colourful Dampier monthly reports of that far away and mysterious Pilbara region. Still in the Pilbara, following a phone conversation I had with Dawn- one of Port Hedland’s chaplains and ship visitors I will never again complain about the heat around my way (Kiama on the NSW south coast). Dawn said recently they welcomed seafarers into Port Hedland on a day that reached 55 degrees centigrade! She says it is not unusual for them to work in 50 degree heat. Not even Jesus had to operate in those conditions! So please remember those monthly Reports. Likewise Graham Miller, our national secretary is always keen to receive each centre’s AGM reports/minutes and financial statements.

And finally- changes to MtS personnel

• Gary Jones has taken over Sean Tiernan’s role as manager/ship visitor at Bell Bay. Sean has moved to Brisbane to take up a position with Stellar Maris. We wish both men all the very best in their new ventures.

• Olaf Smith has resigned as manager from Esperance. Olaf has taken some time off to sail the high seas…wherabouts presently unknown. Safe sailing Ollie.

• Rev Ron Paschke has transferred from Brisbane Mts (Australia’s busiest port) to take up a position in a Brisbane parish. Thanks Ron for your Herculean effort in the short time you were at Brisbane MtS. It is a much finer ministry as a result of your commitment and dedication. Soldier on and on, Ron!

• Capt Keith Dann is preparing for retirement at Hastings port. Our next newsletter will feature Keith’s unique contribution to the well being of seafarers entering Victoria’s waters.

• Alan Ford has unfortunately resigned from his chaplaincy role with MtS Portland Victoria. We wish him every happiness in the new type of chaplaincy work he has chosen.

• Congratulations to Fr Stefan Sapun who has been appointed AoS chaplain to the port of Newcastle. The Rev John Crane, Stefan and Fr Alexander (the Newcastle Knights) make a formidable welcoming team for anyone visiting Newcastle. Bishop Garry and Col are looking forward to visiting there next month.

• Gordon Lawrence is soon to retire from his role of lay chaplain/ship visitor in Gladstone. Gordon’s departure will leave a large hole in our ministry at Gladstone port. We will have more to say about Gordon’s wonderful years of service in the next newsletter.

• Harvey Burcher’s pending retirement from his Sydney ministry will be covered in our

next newsletter. Thank God, that Gabriella (Harvey’s wife), will still continue her vital work caring for the seafarers sailing into Port Botany- one retirement in the family is quite enough Gabriella (don’t even think about it!)

Earth Hour closes this Newsletter As it is 8pm on Saturday the 29 March my daughter has reminded me that all lights in our house are to be now turned off for one hour…for it is Earth Hour- and we must do our small bit for this beautiful, but most fragile of all planets in the universe. Fathers should always take heed of the advice of teenage daughters. At least this one does. Goodnight….from Col Brown.