Wallaroo celebrates Sea Sunday & opens new centre Under Brother Martyn’s care (a former seafarer himself) our fledgeling Wallaroo mission goes from strength to strength. Last year it celebrated its first “Sea Sunday” in St Mary’s church Wallaroo, and prior to Christmas hosted the visit of secretary general Tom Heffer. Martyn with some dedicated volunteers have worked hard to convert part of the church hall into a ‘homey’ place for visiting seafarers. They have planned for next month a big ‘open house’ promotions day- hoping to spread the good news throughout Wallaroo and attract some more supporters. Good luck Wallaroo.

GLAD TIDINGS No. 9 PART E

Geraldton’s chaplain Bill Ross was keen to let us know about his band of 20 loyal volunteers, and especially the longest serving one of all- the very special Daphne Dodd. Daphne who celebrated her 80th birthday at the mission last year has volunteered there for over 30 years. For most of that time she has served on the committee (10 years as secretary and the past 11 as treasurer).

Geraldton MTS celebrates Daphne’s great achievements

Daphne is Geraldton mission’s ‘living treasure’ and has no intention of slowing down- in fact the opposite. Bill and Jocelyn are moving heaven and earth to progress the extensive building plans and renovations necessary to modernise the centre and raise the very weighty sum of money required. Daphne will be alongside them every step of the way.

Jocelyn and Daphne

Featured in Part E:

• Geraldton MTS

celebrates Daphne’s great achievements

• Wallaroo celebrates

Sea Sunday and opens new centre

• AMSA’s most

generous gesture to MTS

• Portland’s good news • Tragedy with anti-

piracy razor wire

Brother Martyn with smiling seafarers

Page 2

MTS’ national coordinator attended the celebration and was deeply grateful to receive from AMSA’s acting CEO Mick Kinley, the extremely generous donation.

AMSA’s most generous gesture to MTS

At the recent Australian Maritime Safety Authority Charity Ball- celebrating AMSA’s twenty first birthday, held in Canberra, an amount of $30,000 was raised to support our work around Australia.

GLAD TIDINGS No. 9 part E 2012

Geelong’s chaplain Noah Park continues to develop his increasingly popular ‘Sea Church’ U Tube ministry enjoyed by many working the world’s oceans. However, Noah reports a very sad incident brought to his attention by a Captain who is a regular visitor to www.youtube.com/seachurch. “Last trip from Vizag India to Marsa Bashayer Sudan, before entering high risk piracy area in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Eden, while rigging anti-piracy razor wire around main deck…one of our seamen slipped and fell overboard. After three day search…with the help of many other ships and aircraft we have not found our seaman. Now, we are on the way back, still in high risk piracy area and expect to pass the area where we lost our friend and colleague and plan to say some prayers for him…could you please send us some service notes for this occasion. Kind regards, Slavko (Master)”. Noah was able to email the Master and crew the information requested that hopefully provided some comfort. This tragic accident is a sobering reminder of the ever present threats of piracy to innocent crews that abound in certain shipping routes around the world.

Typical anti-piracy razor wire

Portland’s good news The Portland MTS committee members were gratified to hear that their nomination of the Port of Portland for an award at last year’s Lloyds List DCN Maritime & Shipping Awards proved successful. The support of the Port which provides premises for our seafarers centre is critical to our running an effective service to visiting crews.

Tragedy with anti-piracy razor wire

Col and Mick Kinley

Neville and Julie ship visiting in Portland