The Mission to Seafarers is once again running cruises on the

to
Autumn Edition 2014
C A R I N G
F O R
S E A F A R E R S
I N
V I C T O R I A N
P O R T S
S I N C E
1 8 5 7
The Mission to Seafarers is once again
running cruises on the Elizabeth Anne
operated by Melbourne Water Taxis.
Pirates’ victims are
overwhelmingly seafarers
from poor nations. Above,
Vietnamese sailor Vu Van Ba
is reunited with his parents
after 18 months held hostage
off the coast of Somalia.
Reuters - See more at:
http://newint.org
The call to
support our
seafarers
harks back
over the ages
This statement from a 1947
chaplain's report still rings
true for modern day Seafarers:
The cruises will depart World Trade Centre, North Wharf 11am,
so meet at the Mission at 10am for check in.
The cruise will take in a number of ports to get up
close to ships in port. This is a great photographic
opportunity leading into the call for entries for the
annual ANL Maritime Art Awards. We have chosen
2 dates - Wed 16th and Wed 23rd April from which
to choose. Cruise is expected to be 2 hours.
The vessel is limited to 35 passengers so first in best
dressed. Cost is $45 per head. Please email or mail
me (Bill) to get the booking form with your payment
option and preferred dates.
[email protected]
celebrating all things maritime
SPONSORS, ARTISTS
AND MTSV ALL SET GO
The Mission to
Seafarers Victoria is
pleased to announce
the 2014 ANL
Maritime Art Award
Sponsors:
Something
to snuggle
into
MTSV
Aproudly
WA Rsponsored
DS by anl
e
n
x h
i b i t i o
call for sponsors, call for entries,
volunteers and key dates, See page 5
All Visitors will
receive 15% off
any purchase
Purchase one pair
and go in the draw
to win another!
Call into
The Flying Angel Club
717 Flinders Street,
Docklands
Funds raised through sales support
the work of The Mission to Seafarers Victoria
...the subject of
ships and shipping
still stands in the
first rank of those
problems inextricably
linked with the wellbeing of the whole
set-up of Australian
industrial and economic
life. Ships are vitally
necessary to this
country; and not only
to the country as a
whole, but also to
nearly every private
firm and primary
producer….This means
that YOU bring men and
youngsters thousands
of miles away from
their homes. This, in
turn, means that you
cannot escape some
share in responsibility
for their welfare...
Continued on page 2
Continued from cover story...
the call to support
our seafarers
harks back over the
ages...
For those that read the
report of 1947 and for
those reflecting on this
statement today - what
meaning does it have
unless you can relate to
the plight of a seafarers,
the isolation, dangers
and pressures of working
to the demand of global
trade?
CEO’s Message
Thank you for sharing the stories in this
edition of Ship to Shore.
I have personally never asked a
seafarer if he or she gets scared
during storms at sea. I consider
seafarers’ are trained to respond
and are aware of the dangers,
therefore have a high degree of
bravery. No matter how brave
or well trained however, it is
not always easy to prepare for
the diversity of ocean going
circumstances. For the seafarers
and their communities who
were impacted in the recent
Philippines disasters and for the
Ukrainian and Russian seafarers
impacted by the political
environment in their homes,
at this time we are mindful. As
they reach out for support, The
Mission to Seafarers globally
provides an extended community
network that is responding.
Our Community Matters - Give
Now facility on the Mission’s
website. Give Now is a great tool
that enables organizations like
the Mission to reach out. Please
consider a donation at this time.
The stories in Ship to Shore
reflect the current activities and
events that contribute to the
work of the Mission to Seafarers
Victoria (MtSV). Autumn is a
beautiful time in Melbourne to
welcome seafarers and visitors
to our city. Please remember that
717 Flinders Street, Docklands is
open to visitors and Friday Curry
Lunch is back this year and the
curry is great!
With Easter fast approaching I
hope that this time of year is a
meaningful to you and whilst
many in the shipping industry
will work through the Easter
period, good on you if you are
taking some time out for rest and
holidays.
On behalf of the MtSV team,
special thanks to everyone who
donated in December last year,
January and February. It is good
to see donors making use of the
Andrea Fleming
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Mission to Seafarers Prayer Diary
download it from our website: www.missiontoseafarers.com.au
Andrew Wright Secretary General, The Mission to Seafarers UK noted this year “I am delighted to introduce
this year’s edition of our global prayer diary which is sent out to over 71 countries and 260 ports, to focus our
day on our shared community in Christ to help and support seafarers.” Prayer is an important contributor to
the life and work of the Mission to Seafarers and impacts the spiritual wellbeing of seafaring community.
One of the challenges of isolation at sea is loneliness. What a challenge it must be for seafarers during certain
times to keep a peaceful mind. Perhaps this is why, as the apostle Paul said, we can “pray without ceasing.” The
concept of constantly engaging our thoughts in prayer helps us to “take every thought captive” as is told to us in
2 Corinthians 10:5. Our thought life impacts our physical and mental wellbeing and prayer life impacts them
all. Please be encouraged to be prayerful. See the Mission to Seafarers website and download the prayer diary
for individuals and groups supporting the seafaring community.
Autumn Edition 2014
Page 2
Whatever your reaction to those
words may be, it was a call for
support and a call for people to
consider the wellbeing of seafarers
and the unique circumstances and
sacrifice that comes with their
particular line of work.
The day to day challenges for
seafarers back then and still
today are associated largely with
a deregulated labour market and
Flags of Convenience (FOC)
ships that make up 75% of the
world fleet. The International
Transport Federation (ITF)
website states:- “Seafarers who are
employed on FOC ships are often
denied their basic human and
trade union rights… The home
countries of the crew can do little
to protect them because the rules
that apply on board are often those
of the country of registration. ..
This statement begs the question
“what do we need to protect them
(seafarers) from?” and “surely
where do we begin?”. There are just
1.4 million seafarers responsible
for 95% of world trade and 60,000
of these alone visit the Port of
Melbourne annually. This story
from our archive is one of many
that asks for on-going attention,
concern and support for seafarers.
Thinking Global
and Acting Local
Thank
you
Seafarers visit the
Melbourne Centre
daily, and the club is
now able to facilitate
even more seafarers
thanks to Budget.
The MtSV has now
received its long
awaited bus making
transportation time
faster and more
efficient for seafarers
in the port of
Melbourne.
]
The MtSV looks forward to a visit from The Rt
Revd Dr Chris Jones this year. The newly appointed
Chairman to The MtS Australia Council expressed
that he was looking forward to connecting with
Melbourne.
Dr
The Rt Revds
Chris Jone
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 nonprofit
entities. Chris brings significant skills and experience in the welfare, fiscal
and pastoral areas to his role as liaison bishop for Mission to Seafarers
operations around Australia.
From left to right - Win Tin
(Myanmar), Mohammed Sipah
(Indonesian), Ebin Varghese (Indian)
and Win Min Tin (Myanmar)
There is no doubt that MtS services are “sorely needed,” global issues such
as the GFC, environmental disasters and even political upheavals impact
seafarers and the shipping industry and there is no doubt during these
adverse times that there is even greater demand for charitable services.
Beyond this, there are many other factors taken into consideration as
each of the 27 Mission centres around Australia act locally to impact
globally in the seafaring community.
Samuel Johnson wrote:
e
Describing the life of a seafarer as a “prisoner of the sea,” third mate Teresito Veano, in moving prose wrote, “We seamen, are like prisoners. We
are deprived to be with our families, friends and loved ones.”
ions a
t
l
Chape
th
no man will be a sailor who has
contrivance enough to get himself into jail;
for being in a ship is being in jail, with the
chance of being drowned.
nct
er
t
e
P
t
Sthe mariner
fu
m
is
re
In September last year, The RtRevd Jones attended a conference in
the United Kingdom of Anglican Bishops from around the world
to consider the plight of seafarers, and the work of the Mission in
response. The conference reported that during that week delegates met
with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who spoke about the
pressures faced by the shipping industry, and the difficulties seafarers
have encountered since the 2008 financial crisis. Archbishop Welby
commended The Mission to Seafarers for being on the “frontline”
in helping seafarers, and said that the organisation’s work was “sorely
needed”.
rs
Continued support for the Mission’s work
sio
n to se
af
a
It is comments like this that help us to contemplate the human experience
of seafaring. At this time with The Maritime Labour Convention MLC
(2006) ratified and being implemented, the MtSV looks forward to
contributing its port services with other MtS Australia port welfare
agencies to meet obligations within the convention. In essence, The
MtSV sees that Standards within the convention will assist the MtS to
form a national approach to its services output that meets the needs of
visiting crew and resources the service providers.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has taken a leadership role
with the establishment of the AMSA Seafarers Welfare Advisory
Committee and The RtRevd Dr Chris Jones joins the Mission to
Seafarers at this exciting time in planning and development for
sustainable national operations. As he liaises nationally on behalf of the
MtS with stakeholders Chris’s experience will be a great benefit.
The St Peter the Mariner Chapel is open
daily for quiet prayer and meditation.
For weddings and other ceremonies please
email [email protected]
Autumn Edition 2014
Page 3
Ship Visitor’s Log
by Onofre Punay
Date: 23 February 2014
“Arriving at the Mission to go ship visiting,
I found eight seafarers already enjoying the centre’s
amenities. To my surprise they had not come
in the Flying Angel bus but by tram and one by
bicycle! Intrigued, I chatted with them and found
they were from the Diamond Princess, a cruise
ship with more than 1100 crew and staff and 2700
passengers.
The ship had moored at Station Pier that morning and was scheduled
to sail at 6pm that same day leaving the crew little time ashore - hence
their urgency to come into the Mission. The phone rang; another six
crew members were awaiting pick up.
Ajith was rostered on to drive the bus and we headed to Station Pier.
In good time I found myself through the security’s gate. I quickly
learnt from the agent that visiting a cruise ship was very different from
visiting a cargo ship... They let me pass the second gate. My chance
to visit now lay with the Diamond Princess’ security who I met at the
ship’s gangway. I introduced myself, and explained my purpose. An
officer, who must have overheard the situation, relayed a message that
resulted in my meeting Andres the Crew Welfare Coordinator. Whilst
my entry to the vessel was pending the approval of the Captain, Andres
informed me that for security purposes he was ordered to remain with
me at all times and said my visit would be limited because he could
only be with me for an hour as he then had other duties to undertake.
This was fine with me; the ship was like a small city that I would prefer
not to roam around by myself.
I asked Andres if there were any sick crew members and he showed
me the ship’s clinic which was closed, implying no one currently in
need of medical attention. There were many amenities offered to the
crew to and those that I met with were in good spirits. Andres agreed
that the next time Diamond Princess docks in Melbourne (December
14) he would request help from the MTSV to organise activities and
transportation for the crew and staff and I hope will bring
some relief to his work load in
coordinating such a
large number of crew.
Back at the guard
house I found five crew
waiting for a ride to
the Mission. When we
arrived the club was busy
with seafarers coming
and going back to their
ships. As a ship visit, that
was a real eye opener for
me and revealed some of
the needs of the cruise ship
crews”.
Autumn Edition 2014
ogram is
ip Visiting Prto
Sh
V
tS
M
e
Th
with thanks
supported
Page 4
The Diamond Princess visits Station Pier in February.
Jim Pelaez from Phillipines, Ouim from Indonesia, Pundi Xan also from
Indonesia. Visiting crew from the Diamond Princess enjoy the company
of Maple Draco crew - Simgle, Zhoun Xin and Li Yan Jun of China.
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Extends Special Thanks to
MtSV Pledge Partners
The MtSV Pledge Partnership Program engages in-kind expertise
and supports Corporate Social Responsibility programs. To find
out more contact [email protected]
anl
AWA R DS
e
n
x h
i b i t i o
proudly sponsored by anl
CALL FOR
ENTRIES>
The ANL Maritime Art Awards promotes
excellence in maritime and seafaring
subjects in art. Artists are invited to
explore the theme;
explorations of the relationship
between humanity and the sea
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY $27,000
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 05 SEPTEMBER
EXHIBITION RUNS OCT 3 > OCT 31. 2014
ENTRY FEE $33 AND 33% COMMISSION
Selected Entries will be exhibited
for the following Award Categories:
> The 2014 ANL Maritime Art Award
> ASP Traditional Maritime Award
> Bendigo Wealth Emerging Artist Award
> And as voted by the viewing public
> PB Towage People’s Choice Award
Artists and interested others
Paint
Out Day
You’re invited to jump on board the 2014 Maritime
Art Awards with Melbourne Water Taxi’s on
16th or 23rd April
Get up close and alongside the
port, ships and the docklands. Bring your camera and / or a sketch
pad. Cost $45 p/h (2 hours cruising) Contact
[email protected] to get a booking form.
ANL Art Awards Committee
Joining the ANL Art Awards Committee in 2014
is Sue Dight, formerly Chief Executive Officer
with Open House. Sue, Catherine McClay and the
Mission team are set to go for 2014. Get involved
as a volunteer in October contact Catherine at;
[email protected]
Judges and Selectors will be announced in June
SPONSORING THE ANL
MARITIME ART AWARDS
Lead Sponsor $3000 Major Sponsor $6000
Your sponsorship helps to support the provision of seafarers’ welfare
facilities and services. For further details contact
[email protected]
Award Sponsors
All exhibited paintings are for sale
with 33% of proceeds supporting the
work of the Mission to Seafarers
Victoria. download the conditions for
entry and entry form at;
www.missiontoseafarers.com.au
Autumn Edition 2014
Page 5
Mission to Seafarers
Victoria’s Community
Heritage Grant
In October 2013, the Mission to Seafarers Victoria was awarded a
Federal Community Heritage Grant from the National Library of
Australia to fund a Significance Assessment of its heritage collection.
The MtSV archive consists of thousands of photographs, records and
objects that document the Mission’s activities and it’s a range of values
socially, spiritually and historically.
The Mission was pleased to engage the services of heritage consultancy
firm, Context Pty Ltd, to carry out the Significance Assessment of its
collection which will determine the importance of these values at local,
State, national and international levels. The Assessment is on track to be
completed in April of 2014 and has, thus far, explored the context and
themes of the archive, consulted with people to whom it is significant as
well as identified related places and collections.
Heritage consultants of Context Pty Ltd are confident that their findings
will confirm that the MtSV archive holds local, State and potentially
even national significance.
Once the Assessment is complete, the Mission will be eligible to apply for
the next stage of funding in the National Library’s Community Heritage
Grant program. This will allow MtSV to carry out a Preservation Needs
Assessment of its collection in order to identify specific items that require
conservation treatment.
Curry Lunches are back again
on Fridays and commenced in
February with each Friday
attracting a crowd of
regulars.
If you make time to drop in you will find the
food is nourishing and the atmosphere leaves you
feeling like you have relaxed during a lunch break.
If you can, please book so we can get an idea of
numbers to avoid disappointment. Looking
forward to seeing all again from 12 noon till 2pm
each Friday. To make a booking call Bill Reid or
email [email protected]
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria
is grateful to Corporate Pledge
Partners Bendigo Wealth. In
supporting the MtSV’s Heritage
and Arts Program, this partnership
has enabled the Mission to achieve
project goals such as being awarded
the National Library’s grant
and the Maritime Museums of
Australia Project Support Scheme
funding that in was awarded in
December. The grants contribute
to the archive’s cataloguing and
preservation and assists the
MtSV in achieving Museum
Accreditation. If you would like to
become involved in the Mission’s
ongoing project to catalogue
its records as a volunteer, please
contact our Curator, Catherine
McLay, via email at: curator@
missiontoseafarers.com.au
the mission
to seafarers
Thanks
australian mariners’
welfare society
The computers at the Flying
Angel Club will be updated
in March and the MtSV
appreciates the grant funding
that has subsidised this
expense.
b ecom e a
soci al club
m em ber
Annual membership
only
$52.00
For just $1 per week your membership impacts the lives of those who work at sea.
Autumn Edition 2014
Page 6
Reflecting with Reverend
Michael Chin and his wife Wendy
Michael Chin and his wife
Wendy paid a visit to the
Mission to Seafarers in February.
Michael was the senior chaplain
at the Mission to Seafarers
Melbourne Flying Angel Club
between 1975 and 1989.
Michael said that the staff and
volunteers would organise soccer
matches between the shore based
teams and a seafarers combined 11.
Trophies were played for and no
doubt the sport was competitive.
There were dances, movie nights,
and day trips that helped to break
up the monotony for seafarers
after long stretches at sea.
How times have changed for
seafarers since containerisation!
Today shore leave is limited to
hours not days and for MtSV
staff and volunteers, their ability
to assist seafarers to achieve their
routine tasks impacts on how
much time the seafarer has for rest
and relaxation between voyages.
Dances, day trips and extended
shore leave is certainly a thing of
the past for seafarers.
Looking around the Flying
Angel Club all these years later,
Michael reminisced that during
his time the Mission only had two
landlines for seafarers to use – calls
had to be booked with Telecom
and then there was the wait for a
Rev Michael Chin and wife Wendy visit the Mission
call back with how much the call
would cost. Imagine that work
load alone with some 3,000+
seafarers each month wanting
to make calls home! During the
1970’s and 80’s Michael said there
were no issues with funding. He
said the port authority and union
members were very supportive,
and that the Mission received a
reliable income that was derived
Upcoming events at
New Hypothetical Continents is a large-scale 3D representation
of the mythic continent of Atlantis, built from LED lights that are
suspended over a stainless steel armature. Referencing Map of Broken
Glass (Atlantis), a sculpture by Robert Smithson, New Hypothetical
Continents maps the limits and contours of an imaginary landmass,
exploring notions of hope, disappointment, and the ‘technological
sublime.’
Bill Reid asked Michael if he
would like to come back and
volunteer. It was not surprising
that Michael said he is now
enjoying his retirement, as Wendy
laughed nervously fearing that he
was about to say YES! Michael
and Wendy, thanks for visiting!
Proudly supported by
A
G
Melbourne-based artist Lucas Maddock will be
exhibiting a sculptural installation over two weeks.
through a number of regional Op
Shops that operated in the suburbs
with the help of local parishes.
Y
Michael said that back in his day,
before containerization, there
were much larger numbers of crew
on each ship and a seafarer’s stay in
port was over a number of days.
LLER
Enhancing visual space
LUCAS MADDOCK
“ N E W H Y P OT H E T I C A L
CO N T I N E N T S ”
Coming soon
Check website for details
New Hypothetical Continents is supported by the
City of Melbourne through the Arts Grant Program.
The Dome Gallery at The Mission to Seafarers 717
Flinders Street is open from 10am to 7pm daily, proudly
sponsored by Bendigo Wealth.
For enquiries please email the galler y manager
Catherine McLay at: [email protected]
t
melbourne artis
lucas maddock
Autumn Edition 2014
Page 7
Seafarers’ welfare works to ensure our oceans and coastlines are in safe hands
to
SEAFARERS
Donations can be made online at www.missiontoseafarers.com.au or complete this form and return to us.
25supports the provision of
phone and internet services
for contact with home
35 will support MTSV
Ship Visiting
50 will support emergency night
call-out to help seafarers
in distress
100will support the upkeep of
MTSV on-shore facilities
Please accept my gift of
$25
$35
$50
$100
Other $____________
My cheque is enclosed. (Cheques to be made payable to Seafarers Welfare Fund)
Please debit my credit card / debit card:
Visa
Mastercard
Card no: _______ / _______/ _______/ _______ _Expiry date: ______ /_______
Name:__________________________________ Signature:
Address:_______________________________________
_____________________________________________ Postcode:_________
Email:__________________________________ Telephone: ________________
All donations over $2 made to the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund are tax deductable.
Please send your contribution to: Mission to Seafarers Victoria, 717 Flinders Street, Docklands 3008
Telephone: (03) 9629 7083 Facsimile: (03) 9629 8450 Email: [email protected]
Seafarers' centres
melbourne
717 Flinders Street
Docklands VIC 3008
t. 61 3 9629 7083
F. 61 3 9629 8450
Geelong
MTS Flying Angel Club
7 The Esplanade
North Shore 3214
t/f. (03) 5278 6985
Hastings
Bayview Rd (po Box 209)
Hastings 3915
t. (03) 5979 4327
f. (03) 5979 4676
Portland
PO Box 538
Portland 3305
t. (03) 5523 2776
f. (03) 5523 5590
www.missiontoseafarers.com.au
current artist in residence: robert lee davis
Caring for Seafarers
in Victorian Ports since 1857