GLAD TIDINGS No. 11 PART A

After over six years of waiting the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention has finally been ratified and will become international law binding all shipping nations from the 20 August 2013. Now the maritime family as one can celebrate to the stirring words of Psalm 97 - ‘ Let the earth be glad, let the many coastlands rejoice…’ for the

The MLC is ratified - ‘Let the many coastlands rejoice’- Psalm 97:1

world’s 1.3 million seafarers have at long last a ‘Bill of Rights’ designed to protect them and ensure their well being as they work the high seas.- one of the most dangerous and lonely jobs in the world. We thank God for this historic and monumental landmark in the life of our ministry to the world’s seafarers from over forty nations.

In this edition:

• The MLC is ratified – ‘Let the many coastlands rejoice’- Psalm 97:1 • A warm welcome to Bishop Dr Chris Jones • Update on changes to the Australian Council • 2013 Conference date finalised • Commissioning in Newcastle

A warm welcome to Bishop Dr Chris Jones The Mission to Seafarers’ family is delighted to welcome Bishop Chris Jones to the Australian Council as its liaison bishop and chair. Chris who is CEO of Anglicare Tasmania and Vicar General is also a member of the board of the Anglican Board of Mission. His doctoral studies were in the areas of business administration and governance for non profit entities. Chris brings significant skills and experience in the welfare, fiscal and pastoral areas to his role

as liaison bishop, from which the Australian Council members and our Australia-wide ministry should richly benefit.

GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 11 Part A

In the last few months the membership of the Australian Council has undergone some significant changes. Firstly, the sudden death of the Secretary General meant that we lost Tom Heffer who has been replaced on council by Martin Stanford the London-based acting Secretary General. Then in June, both Garry Weatherill and Paul White vacated their positions on council as liaison bishops. The council was especially appreciative of Garry’s ten years of loyal service as liaison bishop to the council. This means that the current council members are Revd Canon Dennis Claughton (Fremantle), Revd Noah Park (Geelong), Revd Garry Dodd (Newcastle), Revd Ian Porter (Sydney), Graham Miller

(Townsville) and Captain Dave Ellis (Brisbane) with Bishop Chris Jones joining as the new liaison bishop and chair as mentioned above. The editor continues in his role, but with a job title change and redefined work priorities, and is now the ‘Executive Officer’ of the Australian Council to the Mission to Seafarers. The council has also decided to modify the way council operates by appointing Garry Dodd as the ‘regional contact chaplain’ for our East coast centres and Dennis Claughton for the West. Rather than the editor be the initial contact person for all centres as it was in the past Garry and Dennis will now fill that role.

GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 11 Part A

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2013 Conference date finalised

The next biennial national conference will take place over 18-22 August next year. Graham Miller’s Townsville centre will host and organise the event in this beautiful and tropical region of Australia and a detailed brochure will be sent to all centres soon. The Council is currently working on the conference programme session details which should prove enjoying, challenging and stimulating for participants.

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Update on changes to the Australian Council

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In July, a very packed Newcastle Cathedral celebrating Sea Sunday witnessed the commissioning of Fr Michael Davies as an additional chaplain to our Newcastle Seafarers’ Centre and to the Port of Newcastle. Fr Garry Dodd is particularly pleased that Michael has joined the team bringing with him his many gifts and talents that will be put into full effect as he visits and cares for the crews of the never ending queue of ships visiting Newcastle- still the world’s biggest coal export port. Newcastle port which presently sees about 25,000 overseas seafarers visit annually will increase to around 35,000 by 2016. That’s one big ever changing floating parish.

During the Sea Sunday service, Garry Webb who is Newcastle Ports CEO, and strong supporter of our centre, delivered a wonderful sermon a copy of which is available on our website at www.mts.org.au/ . It is insightful, inspirational and well worth reading for anyone interested in life at sea, the Port of Ephesus and the Apostle Paul. Also present at the celebrations, back at the centre after the service, was David Field representing the Sydney Bethel Union whose funding generosity made the securing of Michael’s chaplaincy possible. Thank you very much SBU. And all the very best Michael as you carry on Newcastle’s fine tradition of caring for international crews visiting the Hunter.

GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 11 Part A

Commissioning in Newcastle

Left to right Garry Webb, David Field, Michael Davies, Col Brown, Garry Dodd