Jim Pether on Eden ship

SS Yongala memorial

Issue: 08

NEWS FROM OUR EAST

EDEN CENTRE UP AND RUNNING

Our newest centre established in the old church hall at St John’s Eden, on the far south coast of NSW not far from the Victorian border, is almost ready to welcome seafarers coming into Twofold Bay.

Jim Pether has come over from Wellington to help set up the new ministry and has commenced ship visiting the mainly log and woodchip ships loading at Eden port. Port Kembla’s John Kewa has visited Jim on a couple of occasions to lend his consummate skills and advice.

Unfortunately Jim has not been in the best of health and will be returning to Wellington under Sheila’s protective care to ensure that he regains his good health. Jim plans to return to Eden later in the year. We thank Jim very much for his invaluable contribution and wish him a speedy recovery.

By Colin BrownNational Co-ordinator

COAST CENTRES

TOWNSVILLE REMEMBERS THE SS YONGALA SINKING

Graham Miller recently organised a memorial service at the Townsville Cathedral for the centenary of the sinking of the SS Yongala off Townsville in 1911.

The service generated a great deal of interest within the Townsville community and far beyond. The tragic sinking of the luxury passenger liner and the loss of 120 lives due to a cyclone off the coast of Townsville was not discovered by divers until 1958 and is now part of Queensland maritime folklore.

Our Townsville volunteers once again were reminded of the dangers of living in FNQ when the port (and our centre located within the port) were closed for several days in February as cyclonic weather and tumultuous seas threatened the region and its inhabitants.

Graham was actually in Adelaide attending a meeting of the MtS Australian Council at that very time, which led him to ruefully comment that he was not sure whether on his return home he would “have a house or job or seafaring centre to return to”! Thankfully he returned to all three we were relieved to hear.

Charlotte- the youngest flying angel

Hobart’s George Brown & Revd Bruce Mitchell

NEWS FROM OUR EAST COAST CENTRES

GLADSTONE’S NEW BUS

CONGRATULATIONS TO NEWCASTLE’S GARRY, PAULA & BABY CHARLOTTE

HOBART’S MISSION HISTORY HONOURED BY GEORGE & BRUCE

Trevor Phillips reports that all at our Gladstone centre are happy to see the arrival of a new bus courtesy of the ITF. Trevor’s volunteers travel long distances over some ordinary roads to collect seafarers from the numerous terminals on the Gladstone coastline so a new bus is always a welcome (and much used) addition.

Great news has just arrived from Garry Dodd our chaplain in Newcastle. Paula has given birth (nearly typed “berth”- an occupational hazard) to a magnificent baby girl named Charlotte. Congratulations to the proud mother and father, and especially the wonderful Abi who now has a little sister to love and care for. Does anyone out there do baptisms in salt water?

In February this year, Hobart’s chaplain Bruce Mitchell dedicated a plaque on the old St David’s Mission Church in Campbell Street, Hobart, now an art gallery. This building was the first home of the “Mission to Seamen” in Hobart from 15 August 1915 to April 1956 and served seafarers well during these years. Bruce says “that in the first year there were over 6,000 seafarers through the doors”.

Mr George Brown, a long time supporter and advisor to the mission unveiled the plaque. The 1915 version of the “Flying Angel” surmounts the text on the plaque. The ceremonial unveiling was part of the Australian Wooden Boat festival. During the festival Hobart mission had several hundred visitors for an “open house” day and inevitably recruited a few good volunteers.

Thank you George and Bruce for keeping the MtS flag (and angel) flying high in Tassie.

Issue: 08

NEWS FROM OUR EAST COAST CENTRES

CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT PORT KEMBLA

BRISBANE’S COMPASSION

Port Kembla’s chaplain David Masters retired recently. John Kewa has moved from Melbourne to fill the big gap Dave has left and John is already fully immersed in the life of the centre acting as pastoral care coordinator.

John says that he is thoroughly enjoying the new environment and devoting as much time as he can to ship visiting. Last year saw some 1,000 ships visit Kembla so John has his work cut out.

Thankfully, we have not lost Dave to the cause as, after having a well deserved break, he will return as a volunteer. He will be welcomed back with open arms.

An explosion onboard the MV Qian Chi in Moreton Bay saw three badly burnt Chinese seafarers rushed to Brisbane hospital. The explosion occurred in the engine room caused by the hot oil burner. Only the injured engineer with burns to his arms and face could talk. The second engineer and cadet remained in intensive care for some weeks but now all three have recovered sufficiently to return home to be cared for by loved ones.

Brisbane’s chaplain Dan Vun and wife Helen gave the three crew great support and comfort over the weeks it took the medical team to address their dreadful injuries. And of course, Dan and Helen’s ability to speak a number of Chinese dialects also proved an asset in establishing a relationship with the three seafarers and their families.It should also be mentioned that Dan was able to track down a small restaurant nearby to the hospital that sold Brisbane’s best sweet and sour rice a meal highly prized by the recovering seafarers, and which Dan attributes to lifting their spirits on a number of occasions!

Kembla’s John Kewa

Revd Dan Vun- Brisbane hospital

Issue: 08