Port Kembla’s John Kewa called on all his native PNG highlander skills to prepare a special feast welcoming the recent visit of MTS secretary general Tom Heffer to the centre. In the backyard of the mission, John expertly prepared and presided over a traditional Pacific Islander ‘Mu-mu’ involving- the digging of a pit, adding banana leaves lining, placing heated rocks, adding vegetables then pork and chicken for a two hour ‘earth

GLAD TIDINGS No. 9 PART C

Port Kembla’s Islander ‘Mu-mu’ greeting feast

roast’. It was wonderful to see participating in the balmy evening celebrations many volunteers and strong supporters of the mission including Port Kembla’s CEO Dom Figliomeni and local Federal member Stephen Jones. A sumptuous and rousing night was had by all. It was unanimously agreed by all present- bring on the next feast John!

John Kewa’s Kembla MTS team has been visiting Eden port for ship visiting purposes since the death of the Revd Jim Pether until we can establish a permanent base. It will be necessary for us to relocate from our present Eden mission premises. As part of Eden’s summer celebrations the town had a rousing Whale Festival and John Kewa was delighted to join an ecumenical group of locals that conducted a liturgy of blessing of the waters of Twofold Bay, of all seafarers and the migratory whales that visit there.

John cooking the mu-mu

Featured in Part C: • Port Kembla’s islander mu-

mu greeting fest • Port of Eden’s blessing at its

annual whale festival • Bishop Garry moves to

Ballarat Diocese • Townsville’s new seafarers’

centre looking brilliant • Changes at Gladstone MTS

Port of Eden’s blessing at its annual whale festival

Page 2

Bishop Garry moves to Ballarat Diocese

Chair of the Australian Council Bishop Garry Weatherill has moved from the Diocese of Willochra in SA to become the tenth bishop of Ballarat, Victoria. Garry will stay on as chair of the Council and serve as Liaison bishop for the West. Bishop Paul White from Melbourne becomes Liaison bishop for the East.

GLAD TIDINGS No. 9 part C 2012

MTS representatives Ann Robinson & Graham Miller at Bishop Garry’s enthronement

Townsville’s new seafarers’ centre looking brilliant

Townsville’s MTS manager Graham Miller has highly praised Townsville Port’s new extensions and the Port’s generosity in relocating our seafarers’ centre into the smartly renovated building alongside berth 9. The freshness, extra space, modern facilities and state of the art communications has been a big hit with visiting seafarers and provided a real boon for Graham’s hardworking staff and loyal volunteers.

The image below shows Bishop Bill Ray accompanied by Townsville Port’s CEO Ross Dunning leading, in the presence of some 80 guests, the rededication ceremony of the seafarers’ centre- marking a new chapter in its 84 year old history at the Port of Townsville

Bishop Bill Ray and Ross Dunning open the mission extensions

Changes at Gladstone MTS

Bishop Godfrey Fryar has announced that Honorio Hincapie is to replace Gladstone ‘s MTS chaplain Trevor Phillips who has recently left our seafarers’ centre. Honorio has been volunteering with our mission at Port Kembla. With a background working in multicultural

environments and extensive experience in pastoral ministry, counselling and psychology Honorio is ideally suited to look after the many seafarers visiting MTS Gladstone. Port Kembla’s loss is Gladstone’s great gain. Good luck Honorio and make sure you pack your sun screen (and mosquito repellent). Honorio with Reverend Tom

Heffer