First Newsletter from Col Brown who is now Coordinator - 'Mission to Seafarers' in Australia. See the website for contact details.

1. Glad Tidings (1)
Our First Newsletter In the short time I have been working
for the MtS Australia Council, I have
been inspired by the tremendous
Greetings to all our readers, chaplains dedication of the men and women I
managers, ship visitors and loyal have met, many working in isolation,
volunteers in our 23 Centres around with scarce resources and often at
the continent. This is the very first considerable personal sacrifice. But
monthly newsletter from the Australian they, with good cheer and grace carry
Council for the Mission to Seafarers. on, to ensure that those many
Our chairman Bishop Garry Weatherill seafarers visiting our shores,
has asked me, to send regularly to all experience the love and warmth of the
our Centres, a newsletter keeping Risen Christ during their short stay on
everyone abreast of happenings within Australian soil.
the MtS Australian family.
Please send me any news that you
Because I have the role of Liaison would like included in “Glad Tidings”.
and Support Officer to our Centres, it We are particularly fortunate to have
is logical that I play the ‘roving reporter’ two terrific bishops presently at the
and editor of “Glad Tidings”. I hope helm of the Seafarer’s ministry, and
that the name sounds alright. It has both Garry (West coast) and Godfrey
already been approved by Holly, my (East coast) encourage your
13 year old daughter - who wildly contributions, thoughts and stories. We
swings from being my greatest fan to do not want the newsletter to be dull or
my harshest critic! not useful. Let’s put it to good use. You
can contact me at liaison@mts.org.au
Actually, in the eight months I have and please do.
been on the job, I have managed to
visit 15 of our Centres, and plan to
travel to the other eight this year.
Indeed, I was very lucky to start my job
only 3 weeks before last year’s
Katoomba conference, where I spent
5 days with most of our chaplains and
managers. This gave me a golden
opportunity to listen to their many
stories of the local happenings, and
begin to understand the needs of
those ministering to the unending
wave of seafarers visiting our ports. (+Garry and Col flying the flag at
General Synod in Canberra 2007).

2. Bill & Tom travel far to can journey according to local needs
and circumstances.
be with us
We are very fortunate to have Tom
stoking the fire in MtS’ spiritual engine
At our national conference last August room. I know Tom thoroughly enjoyed
in Katoomba (the NSW Blue his first trip downunder, and managed
Mountains), it was a special pleasure to visit our centres in Newcastle,
to have both the Rev Canon Bill Townsville, Melbourne, Geelong and
Christianson and the Rev Tom Portland before returning home to
Heffer travel from the UK to join us for London. We hope that he returns soon
the week’s very enjoyable, but hard to share more of his vision with us.
working conference. As you all know,
Bill is based in MtS’ London central
office and has the formidable task , as
Secretary General of the Mission to
Seafarers, of “leading the way”. Bill’s
tremendous knowledge of, and
concern for the well being of our
Australian stations was very evident
during his time with us - as was his
great warmth, charm and wit that did
not go astray in the freezing Blue
Mountains environment.
It was indeed a bonus for all (Col and Bill at Katoomba conference)
Commissionings in
participating at the conference, that
Tom could also be with us to share the
experience. Tom holds the position of
Director of Chaplaincy within the MtS Melbourne
family. Tom, for some time prior to the
conference had invested considerable Melbourne Mission to Seafarers had
time, energy and prayer into cause for celebration last October,
developing a “big picture” seminal when the Rev Ken Cahill and
document, “Moving Forward in Emmanuel Carrington were
Mission - Strategy Into Action 2007- commissioned by Melbourne Bishop
2009”. At the conference, Tom laid Phillip Huggins. Ken was
before us the “big picture” - namely, commissioned as Chaplain to the Port
the MtS Vision -Strategy document in of Melbourne, and Emmanuel
powerpoint format - reflecting on our Carrington as Lay Assistant Chaplain.
proud history of 150 years ministry to The beautiful commissioning service
the globe’s seafarers, challenging our took place, most appropriately, in St
resolve to move with the times, honing Peter the Mariners Chapel in the
our vision in the light of the Risen grounds of the Flying Angel Centre. A
Christ, and setting down a practical large number of supporters, volunteers
pathway - along which all MtS stations and friends joined in the celebrations,
including Rev Noah Park (Geelong),

3. Rev Alan Ford (Portland) and Capt. prayers go with Sean in his new
Keith Dann (Hastings). Good luck to venture. Thankfully, Bell Bay remains
both Ken and Emmanuel - they won’t in safe hands with Gary watching over
be bored. It seems that they could be all things watery. He is a passionate
called on to do all things except dredge advocate for the seafarer.
Port Phillip Bay…someone else is
doing that!
( Burnie’s AGM committee)
(Ken and Emmanuel entering the
Chapel)
Way Downunder in
Tassie
In December, on the day of the (Gary - and his dog welcoming some
Federal elections, Hobart MtS held its seafarers visiting Bell Bay)
annual general meeting . The meeting
took place at St George’s Church,
Battery Point and was able to
A Living Legend
peacefully co-exist with the stream of
voters entering the church grounds to Attending the Hobart AGM, last
cast their votes. In the next few days I December, was 87 year old Jack
was able to attend Burnie’s AGM, Tomes. Jack is possibly the longest
thanks to a lift from Doug Couzins, and serving (not the oldest serving) MtS
then meet up with Dick Burgess at volunteer on planet Earth. Jack first
Devonport. On my last day, I was able volunteered to help out at the Hobart
to visit Gary Jones, the new manager mission in 1938 at the tender age of
at Bells Bay, and do some ship 17. Over the past 70 years he has
visiting with Gary on the mighty held all the official positions at Hobart
Tamar River. Sean Tiernan, who MtS including chairman for 10 years.
looked after Bell Bay for many years, During one rough period when there
has moved to Brisbane to work with were no chaplains or volunteers
Stella Maris. Our good wishes and available, Jack worked solo to keep

4. the mission open. His 70 years of
service has been virtually continuous. MtS Brisbane’s Big
Only Jack’s serving in World War II
slowed him down but still attended the Day in February
mission when he was at home
As the Queen Victoria effortlessly
When the Hobart station moved to its glided into Fisherman’s Wharf to dock
present location in Morrison Street on only a few hundred metres from the
the waterfront, Jack a builder by trade, MtS Seafarers Centre at the entrance
built an alter to fit the new chapel, and to Brisbane Port, it was all hands on
carved a Flying Angel as a backing deck in the Centre itself.
beneath the alter with a hidden light to
make it a feature. And Jack’s wife, Brisbane MtS was preparing for the
Kath, has been by his side every step arrival of Ms Quentin Bryce the
of the way. According to Hobart’s Governor of Queensland, to officially
chaplain Bruce Mitchell (who no one open the newly renovated Mission to
would accuse of being anorexic), “I Seafarers Brisbane Centre. The Rev
suspect that many a seafarers Ron Paschke, MtS chaplain who had
waistline has swelled as a result of left no stone unturned to ensure the
Kath’s culinary efforts that still success of the celebrations was
continue.” beaming from ear to ear.
The latest “Flying Angel News” wrote It was a day to remember for the large
an article about Jack Tomes and has gathering - made up of many staff,
asked seafaring Centres around the volunteers, supporters and friends of
world to contact them if they are aware MtS Brisbane. Following the stirring
of any person serving longer than sounds of the brass band, the
Jack. My money is on Jack - and he is Governor duly opened the new Centre.
still going strong! Shortly after, Brisbane’s Bishop Geoff
Smith, assisted by Bishop Godfrey
Fryar had the joyous task of leading
the gathering in a Dedication of the
Chapel of St Nicholas - the beautiful
and peaceful space set aside for
weary seafarers, on the harbour side
of the Centre building.
A very moving ceremony of service
awards to Brisbane’s volunteers -
very much the heart and soul of the
Brisbane ministry, was also carried out
during the afternoon. The great
celebrations were tinged with some
sadness as it was announced that Ron
Paschke would be transferring from
(Jack & Kathy Tomes) MtS Brisbane to take up a position in

5. the Brisbane parish of Wollongabba. Visitor Training Course” and then from
Ron’s position will soon be advertised. Wednesday to Friday set aside for a “Train
the Trainer” course, to be accredited as an
official ICSW Ship Welfare Visitor Course
Trainer. I gather it was hoped that if local
trainers were accredited then it would not
be necessary to go to the expense of
sending out a trainer from the UK each time
enough people in the southern hemisphere
could be gathered together. It seems, too,
that with a number of local trainers in place
many more people would be trained and
earn their accreditation from the Merchant
(+Godfrey welcoming the Governor )
Navy Welfare Board who developed,
auspiced, supervised and resourced the
Ship Training Course course.
in Melbourne It was going to be quite a commitment as
my volunteers had stepped up to the plate
to cover me while I was away at the course,
A few weeks back a very important 5 days of training and some nights at the
week unfolded in the life of the Mission Mission catching up with some stuff that I
to Seafarers ministry in Australia. From normally do. And then to top it all off on
Monday 25 to Friday 29 April six of our Saturday we were expecting the Navy here
MtS men ( Ian McGilvray- Dampier, in our chapel for a service to celebrate the
Arthur Hinsely-Hobart, Dave Masters- 107th anniversary of the founding of the
Port Kembla, John Wong-Bunbury, Royal Australian Navy. They wanted to
Ken Cahill-Melbourne and John start at 10 am!! On a Saturday morning!!
After closing the Mission at midnight!!!
Marcon all the way from Auckland,
What was I thinking? Just as well there was
participated in a course to earn their
a free lunch involved.
credentials to become official ship
visiting trainers to Australian and NZ The first call came from John Wong from
ports. Also participating were John Bunbury who had arrived in Melbourne on
Kewa- Melbourne Stella Maris, the “red-eye special” from Perth at some
Anthony Phillips- Brisbane Stella Maris God-awful hour on Sunday morning. Poor
and Rob Flinders- Sydney based with John was stranded in Melbourne as his
the Seafarers Christian Friend Society. hotel could not book him until the
afternoon. Just as well that the casino is
Ken Cahill kindly took time out from open 24 hours and has several very
his hectic Melboune MtS ministry to comfortable couches. By Sunday
write a short and entertaining report on afternoon the crew began to gather at the
the training course: Kings Gate Hotel. Friends from overseas
began to arrive, from New Zealand and
from Tasmania – a truly international event!
The ICMA Ship Visitor Training
Course. Monday arrived and we all assembled at
The week looked like it was going to be a the Stella Maris Centre in Little Collins
big commitment. Monday and Tuesday set Street. We managed to gather enough light
aside for the accredited “Ship Welfare to see what we were doing and 10 of us

6. participated in the course. Damian Crowley course available to as many people as
took us through our two days of accredited possible, including those that actually
training at a leisurely pace. We all passed ship visit, drive buses, serve at the
the exam. And then the real fun could centre, serve on local committees-
begin. anyone in fact who plays a part in
making life a little easier for the visiting
In spite of my remonstrations we continued
seafarer. We will try and offer these
to be provided with sandwiches for lunch,
courses all around Australia.
so we just had to have a roast for dinner on
Thursday when all the Flying Angels could
meet with Colin at the recently renovated Preliminary plans are afoot for a 3 day
Melbourne Chaplain’s residence. After course to be offered in Townsville,
several bevvies, the conversation got over 15-17 August 2008. It is hoped
around to “world domination” and we that the ports of Brisbane, Townsville,
developed some plans about conducting Mackay and Gladstone will send
training courses around the country and people to participate. MtS Australian
how this could be funded, given the Council secretary Graham Miller, will
extensive distances and travel that would be hosting the Townsville event.
still be involved. Townsville in August sounds perfect!
So by early April we will know who has John Wong and Tim Hopwood will
been accredited as trainers by ICSW and offer the course in Bunbury at a date
registered on the Merchant Navy Welfare
soon to be decided. We hope that
Board’s database with a course written and
people from Esperance, Albany, and
developed by Damian Crowley auspiced
and accredited by the Nautical Institute and Fremantle will join the Bunbury mob
funded by the ITF Seafarer’s Trust. Sounds there.
complicated from over here doesn’t it? But
put simply, this very worthwhile course, Ian McGilvray, who has the big
should over time, be of great benefit in challenge of providing training for the
helping the Mission to Seafarers family feel Top End, is looking at the logistics of
better prepared and able to meet the needs bringing together people from
of our visiting seafarers around the Dampier, Port Hedland and Darwin.
country. When further detail is made available
we shall let everyone know. Good luck
Ian!
Rob Flinders will be providing a course
for the Sydney people. Presumably
Rob will be in contact with Ian Porter
at our Sydney Mission to work out
plans for Sydney and Port Botany.
Ken Cahill will soon be in a position to
announce a date for the Melbourne
The next phase of this project is course. Hastings, Geelong,
critical. Our aim over the next six Melbourne and Portland supporters
months is to make the ship visiting will participate in this course.

7. supporter of the Port Kembla mission
Dave Master who is based at Port Nick Rheinberger is helping plan the
Kembla has been given the SA ports night and will act as MC. Some of
to look after. Once Dave gets his big Wollongong’s local singing talent will
fundraising night out of the way, he will be doing their bit on stage. Bishop
be in contact with our SA ports to work Garry is also attending and it is
out the best way to serve their needs. expected that he to will be given a gig,
Stay tuned SA for further updates. to display his Pavarotti-like qualities.
We all look forward to that! Please
Last but far from least, Tasmania’s spread the word- for more details
Arthur Hinsely is giving thought to the contact Dave on 02 4274 6498 or
best meeting venue to bring together 0414 482 737.
our Hobart, Bell Bay, Burnie and
Devonport people. Launceston has
been suggested as a good central
venue. Possibly, our very first course
will be offered by Arthur in Tassie. We
await more news from Arthur on all of
this- and when contacting us next,
perhaps Arthur could settle the debate
about whether Port Arthur was, in fact,
named after him!
Port Kembla’s Pirates (Separated at Birth?)
Night
Gladstone (SA) hosts
Council meeting
As many of you will know, the MtS
National Council met over the 17-19
January at Bishop Garry’s home in
Gladstone, South Australia (not far
from Port Pirie). It was a productive
meeting attended by Garry (chair),
Bishop Godfrey, Ron Paschke
(Brisbane), Ian Porter (Sydney), Noah
Park (Geelong), Bob Bristow
(Fremantle), Alan Taylor (Albany),
Dave Masters the chaplain at Port Graham Miller (Townsville) and Col
Kembla MtS has been very busy Brown (National Liaison & Support
organizing a fund raising night to take Officer – adopted by Port Kembla).
place at the Illawarra Yacht Club on Copies of the meeting’s minutes have
the 11 April, 2008. Well known ABC been sent to all stations.
Illawarra media personality and great

8. (National Council outside Pirie centre)
Port Pirie Mayoral Next Council meeting is
Welcome & Visit Brisbane - May
During the National Council’s stay in The next meeting is set down for
Gladstone we were able to squeeze in Brisbane over 28 - 30 May 2008. So if
a visit to Port Pirie. MtS’ chaplain Ian you have a burning desire to get any
Pole pulled a rabbit out the hat to issue on the agenda please let
surprise us with a mayoral reception. Graham Miller know (tel 07 4772
Pirie’s mayor Geoff Brock, gave us a 2774). If you are wishing to apply for
very warm and welcoming civic funding from AMWS or ITF please get
reception. It was a great chance for all your applications to Graham as soon
of us to fly the MtS flag on Bishop as possible.
Garry’s home soil, and later visit Ian’s
volunteers at their mission. Rumours
abound that Ian may be running for
mayor at the next elections. When
asked, Ian strongly denied this
ambition, saddled his bike (see photo)
and zoomed off into the distance.
Geraldton’s
Temporary Closure
It has not been all smooth sailing, as
(Spot the Flying Angel logo) of late, for our Seafaring centre in
Geraldton WA. Our building in

9. Geraldton almost next door to the future. We look forward to that very
Geraldton Port Authority and the much.
increasingly busy Indian Ocean port, is
one of the town’s treasures. Built in
1864, it is possibly Australia’s oldest
seafaring mission building -
Melbourne MtS commenced its
ministry in 1857 but its first location
was on an ex-prison hulk on Port
Phillip Bay. Maybe Sydney will make
claim to this honour but until they can
prove otherwise Geraldton gets the
prize. Unfortunately, Father time has
crept up on our mission building in (Geraldton MtS building)
Geraldton. Power losses and the
need for extensive and costly electrical
MtS & AoS Getting
and structural work have caused the
Diocesan council to temporarily close
together
the seafaring Centre until the remedial
work is carried out (which will also In a recent exchange of letters, both
require some serious fundraising Bishop Garry Weatherill chair of the
efforts). Mission to Seafarers Australia and
Bishop Justin Bianchini chair of the
Not surprisingly, our building is Apostleship of the Sea Australia,
heritage listed as it has served as happily agreed to start in motion a
Geraldton’s first school, first series of meetings between the
Anglican church and first prison respective organizations. Both bishops
cell- not all at the same time! It has a are keen for the organizations to
fascinating history and is highly valued explore ways in which we can work
as a heritage landmark by the Heritage more effectively together. And at the
Council of WA. This fact alone, makes same time bring to life new friendships
the repairs to the building, more and strengthen existing ones. Many of
complicated and costly than usual. you would be aware of the great
ecumenical work being faithfully
With a large number of ships now carried out in ports such as Newcastle,
exporting more iron ore than grain out Hastings, Port Hedland, Gladstone,
of Geraldton there is a strong call on Botany and others; which serves as a
our services to the visiting seafarer. reminder that we still have a long way
Many are conscious of this fact, and to go in other ports. The rapidly
are working very hard to ensure that changing face of the maritime world-
we are back in full swing as soon as the salty ‘sign of the times’ if you like,
possible. The Geraldton Port calls for our very best united Christian
Authority people have been response, to ensure that we always
particularly supportive and have strive to do the ‘right thing’ by the
generously offered to increase that overseas seafarer, in Jesus’ name.
ongoing support substantially in the Then He smiles on us and rejoices!

10. National
Volunteers Day
It is worth keeping in mind that
National Volunteers Day/Week
commences around Australia on May
12 until May 18. Use this week of
celebrations to “net” some volunteers
to help out at your local centre. Some
good hints on how to go about this,
including enlisting media support can
Sea Sunday Fast be found by visiting
http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/ht
Approaching ml. Try it, as fortune favours the bold.
As Sea Sunday fast approaches do
not forgot to visit the UK Mission to Updating websites &
Seafarers
(www.missiontoseafarers.org/)
website
to
email lists
download (or order by emailing
pr@missiontoseafarers.org ) Presently we are updating all our data
their excellent Sea Sunday resources. bases. As you know our primary way
If any centres are doing their own of getting news to all our centres is via
Aussie version please send them to the email address
me for broader circulation to those of allstations@mts.org.au. It is really
our centres looking for inspiration. important that our emails come to the
notice of all those who have an interest
Sea Sunday is to be celebrated on in welcoming and caring for visiting
Sunday 13 July this year but of seafarers visiting our 23 ports. In my
course, might be changed to another travels to our ports, I am always
Sunday, if it better suits the local interested in positive feedback that will
natives. improve our communications, which is
critical to helping all of our centres feel
as though each one belongs to the
Mission to Seafarers family- that we
are all in this remarkable ministry
together- from Bishop Garry flying our
flag at Canberra’s General Synod to
Phyllis buttering the tomato
sandwiches to be devoured at Port
Kembla’s next fundraising event (it
should be said that Phyllis does a
damn lot more than that around the
place!)

11. My reading the monthly Reports will
A concerted effort has also been made also help me identify local happenings
to update the information about all our that could be of interest to all centres. I
Aussie ports on the Mission to love receiving Ian McGilvray’s colourful
Seafarers UK-Global website (visit Dampier monthly reports of that far
www.missiontoseafarers.org/). We see away and mysterious Pilbara region.
this is the best website for the visiting Still in the Pilbara, following a phone
seafarer to Australia to search for conversation I had with Dawn- one of
information on Aussie ports and Port Hedland’s chaplains and ship
available facilities at MtS centres. visitors I will never again complain
about the heat around my way (Kiama
Finally, the MtS Australian website will on the NSW south coast). Dawn said
undergo some radical cyber surgery. recently they welcomed seafarers into
The website will be redesigned to Port Hedland on a day that reached 55
promote the ministry of the Mission to degrees centigrade! She says it is not
Seafarers Australian Council, as the unusual for them to work in 50 degree
overarching body to all our 23 centres. heat. Not even Jesus had to operate in
The new website will be developed as those conditions!
a tool for promotional, educational,
fundraising and advocacy work. I will So please remember those monthly
be looking after this project. Reports. Likewise Graham Miller, our
national secretary is always keen to
receive each centre’s AGM
reports/minutes and financial
statements.
And finally- changes
to MtS personnel
• Gary Jones has taken over
Sean Tiernan’s role as
manager/ship visitor at Bell
Bay. Sean has moved to
Monthly Reports Brisbane to take up a position
with Stellar Maris. We wish both
men all the very best in their
Please remember to send a copy of new ventures.
your monthly Report to me at • Olaf Smith has resigned as
liaison@mts.org.au. It helps us feel a manager from Esperance. Olaf
part of the life of the local MtS centre has taken some time off to sail
and helps us work out how we might the high seas…wherabouts
be of any assistance in either, day to presently unknown. Safe sailing
day or big picture stuff. Ollie.

12. • Rev Ron Paschke has next newsletter. Thank God,
transferred from Brisbane Mts that Gabriella (Harvey’s wife),
(Australia’s busiest port) to take will still continue her vital work
up a position in a Brisbane caring for the seafarers sailing
parish. Thanks Ron for your into Port Botany- one retirement
Herculean effort in the short in the family is quite enough
time you were at Brisbane MtS. Gabriella (don’t even think
It is a much finer ministry as a about it!)
result of your commitment and
dedication. Soldier on and on,
Ron!
• Capt Keith Dann is preparing
for retirement at Hastings port.
Our next newsletter will feature
Keith’s unique contribution to
the well being of seafarers
entering Victoria’s waters.
• Alan Ford has unfortunately
resigned from his chaplaincy
role with MtS Portland Victoria.
We wish him every happiness Earth Hour closes
in the new type of chaplaincy
work he has chosen. this Newsletter
• Congratulations to Fr Stefan
Sapun who has been appointed As it is 8pm on Saturday the 29 March
AoS chaplain to the port of my daughter has reminded me that all
Newcastle. The Rev John lights in our house are to be now
Crane, Stefan and Fr Alexander turned off for one hour…for it is Earth
(the Newcastle Knights) make a Hour- and we must do our small bit for
formidable welcoming team for this beautiful, but most fragile of all
anyone visiting Newcastle. planets in the universe. Fathers should
Bishop Garry and Col are always take heed of the advice of
looking forward to visiting there teenage daughters. At least this one
next month. does. Goodnight….from Col Brown.
• Gordon Lawrence is soon to
retire from his role of lay
chaplain/ship visitor in
Gladstone. Gordon’s departure
will leave a large hole in our
ministry at Gladstone port. We
will have more to say about
Gordon’s wonderful years of
service in the next newsletter.
• Harvey Burcher’s pending
retirement from his Sydney
ministry will be covered in our