GLAD TIDINGS

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A big number turned up for the launch of the new Mission to Seafarers centre at St Martin’s Hall, Whyalla in January. The Revd Ali Wurm was delighted with the support and enthusiasm from parishioners and other locals keen to offer a service to seafarers visiting the ports of Whyalla and Port Bonython. A committee has been formed and negotiations started with port operators Arrium Mining (formerly One Steel) and Santos Port Bonython

LAUNCH OF NEW CENTRE IN WHYALLA

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(Point Lowly) and other stakeholders. Thankfully, both premises and a transport vehicle have been secured to ensure an effective service is offered. Brisbane MTS has very kindly donated one of its buses to the Whyalla ministry. The Mission to Seafarers had a busy centre in Whyalla until the 1950s when it closed for reasons unknown (or forgotten) to local historians. So the “good news” is we are back in town.

In this edition:

• Launch of new centre in Whyalla • Thevenard follows Whyalla’s lead • ICSW resources for seafarers

• Reminder to complete the AMSA serious incident form • Andrew and Mahada in Eden • AMSA thanks Brisbane mission centre • Ian McGilvray on the ABC

GGLAD TIDINGS February, 2013 No. 12 Part B

No. 12 PART B

THEVENARD FOLLOWS WHYALLA’S LEAD

Thevenard residents and parishioners Daine and Pam Burden have volunteered to head the MTS ministry to seafarers visiting Thevenard port. A few days after the Whyalla launch Thevenard formed its own committee made up of local church volunteers, ship agents and Port personnel. Daine and Pam live close to the security gates to Thevenard port and are ideally suited to ship visit there, and generally help the seafarers with the usual- including phone cards, internet and shopping excursions.

Although not a busy port Thevenard is very isolated and for some ships their only port of call in the southern hemisphere. So the needs of the crew can be great- if we cannot reach them no one else will. We wish Daine and Pam well and hope that they have fun and receive much satisfaction as they “welcome the stranger” to Denial Bay.

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The International Committee for Seafarers Welfare has an excellent website from which can be obtained books, posters and information pamphlets designed for the benefit of the world’s seafarers and as resources for welfare practitioners to the maritime industry. Information on areas such as dental care, onboard fitness, food safety, healthy foods, malaria avoidance, mental

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wellbeing, weight control, skin care and STI, HIV/AIDS are available at www.seafarerswelfare.org/ship-shop/mental-care Very recently the ICSW merged with the International Seafarers Assistance Network (ISAN) to become a new entity called the International Seafarers Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN) that will provide a 24 hour help line for seafarers.

REMINDER TO COMPLETE THE AMSA SERIOUS INCIDENT FORM

Over the month of January a number of our centres forwarded Reports detailing a range of onboard accidents and illnesses suffered by seafarers. Sadly, three deaths were also reported one of which was a second officer tragically suiciding off the port of Bunbury. Members of the

THE ICSW RESOURCES FOR SEAFARERS

deceased’s family have travelled from the Philippines and have been comforted by people from our Fremantle and Bunbury centres. Needless to say, our chaplains and volunteers do all they can possibly do to assist crews (and grieving families) in such testing circumstances.

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Andrew and Madaha Lund are going great guns running the Eden centre. Andrew’s considerable IT and people skills and Madaha’s accounting and managerial expertise have got the centre into good shape. Andrew has been visiting the log and woodchip ships arriving in

Twofold Bay, and both he and Madaha have created a warm and welcoming seafarers centre in the middle of town. The 14 year old Tarago continues to give reliable service as it does the 70 kilometre round trip from the town to the port.

ANDREW AND MAHADA IN EDEN

AMSA THANKS BRISBANE MISSION CENTRE

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has recently commended the staff of the Brisbane Mission to Seafarers for services offered following the tragic sinking of the MV Rabual Queen, off Papua New Guinea in February 2012. In the words of AMSA, “ The MTS made arrangements with the agents of all vessels involved in particularly challenging operations including the retrieval of

survivors and deceased from the MV Rabual Queen. The Diocese also was placed on standby to deliver detailed counselling. The search and rescue were conducted over many days, fifteen merchant vessels were involved, and a total of 246 survivors were rescued. The Mission to Seafarers Brisbane can always be relied upon to provide a high level of response and support

GLAD TIDINGS February 2013 No. 12 Part B

to all maritime incidents. This is a credit to the centre staff and volunteers alike.”

GLAD TIDINGS February 2013 No. 12 Part B

IAN McGILVRAY ON THE ABC

Dampier’s long serving chaplain and a former seafarer himself Ian McGilvray had the pleasure of recently being interviewed on the ABC’s Regional Pilbara programme that features the lives of local identities. Ian shared with the interviewer his reasons for chaplaincy, “This job, if I can call it a job, is a joy and a wonder for it combines

many of the things I like doing most: messing about on ships and relating to seafarers, helping others when they need it; and most of all being able to share my faith in Jesus Christ”. For the full interview please visit https://open.abc.net/openregions/wa-pilbara

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