Maritime Labour Convention ratified; Bishop Chris Jones is new MtS Liason Bishop

1. GLAD TIDINGS No. 11 PART A
In this edition:
• The MLC is ratified –
‘Let the many
coastlands rejoice’-
Psalm 97:1
• A warm welcome to
Bishop Dr Chris Jones
• Update on changes
to the Australian
Council
The MLC is ratified - ‘Let the many coastlands rejoice’- • 2013 Conference
Psalm 97:1 date finalised
After over six years of waiting world’s 1.3 million seafarers have • Commissioning in
the ILO’s Maritime Labour at long last a ‘Bill of Rights’ Newcastle
Convention has finally been designed to protect them and
ratified and will become ensure their well being as they
international law binding all work the high seas.- one of the
shipping nations from the 20 most dangerous and lonely jobs
August 2013. in the world. We thank God for
Now the maritime family as one this historic and monumental
can celebrate to the stirring landmark in the life of our
words of Psalm 97 - ‘ Let the ministry to the world’s seafarers
earth be glad, let the many from over forty nations.
coastlands rejoice…’ for the
A warm welcome to Bishop Dr Chris Jones
The Mission to Seafarers’ family is as liaison bishop, from which the
delighted to welcome Bishop Australian Council members and
Chris Jones to the Australian our Australia-wide ministry should
Council as its liaison bishop and richly benefit.
chair. 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 non profit entities. Chris
brings significant skills and
experience in the welfare, fiscal
and pastoral areas to his role
GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 11 Part A

2. Update on changes to the Australian Council
G
In the last few months the (Townsville) and Captain L
membership of the Australian Dave Ellis (Brisbane) with A
Council has undergone some Bishop Chris Jones joining asD
significant changes. Firstly, the new liaison bishop and
the sudden death of the chair as mentioned above. T
I
Secretary General meant
D
that we lost Tom Heffer who The editor continues in his I
has been replaced on role, but with a job title N
council by Martin Stanford change and redefined work G
the London-based acting priorities, and is now the S
Secretary General. Then in ‘Executive Officer’ of the
June, both Garry Weatherill Australian Council to the 2
0
and Paul White vacated their Mission to Seafarers.
1
positions on council as liaison
2
bishops. The council was The council has also decided
especially appreciative of to modify the way council N
Garry’s ten years of loyal operates by appointing o
service as liaison bishop to Garry Dodd as the ‘regional.
the council. contact chaplain’ for our
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East coast centres and
1
This means that the current Dennis Claughton for the
council members are Revd West. Rather than the editorP
Canon Dennis Claughton be the initial contact persona
(Fremantle), Revd Noah Park for all centres as it was in ther
(Geelong), Revd Garry Dodd past Garry and Dennis will t
(Newcastle), Revd Ian Porter now fill that role.
(Sydney), Graham Miller A
2013 Conference date finalised
The next biennial national
conference will take place
over 18-22 August next year.
Graham Miller’s Townsville
centre will host and organise
the event in this beautiful and
tropical region of Australia
and a detailed brochure will
be sent to all centres soon.
The Council is currently
working on the conference
programme session details
which should prove enjoying,
challenging and stimulating
for participants.
Page 2 GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 11 Part A

3. Commissioning in Newcastle
In July, a very packed Newcastle During the Sea Sunday service,
Cathedral celebrating Sea Garry Webb who is Newcastle
Sunday witnessed the Ports CEO, and strong supporter
commissioning of Fr Michael of our centre, delivered a
Davies as an additional chaplain wonderful sermon a copy of
to our Newcastle Seafarers’ which is available on our website
Centre and to the Port of at www.mts.org.au/ . It is
Newcastle. Fr Garry Dodd is insightful, inspirational and well
particularly pleased that Michael worth reading for anyone
has joined the team bringing with interested in life at sea, the Port
him his many gifts and talents of Ephesus and the Apostle Paul.
that will be put into full effect as Also present at the celebrations,
he visits and cares for the crews back at the centre after the
of the never ending queue of service, was David Field
ships visiting Newcastle- still the representing the Sydney Bethel
world’s biggest coal export port. Union whose funding generosity
Newcastle port which presently made the securing of Michael’s
sees about 25,000 overseas chaplaincy possible. Thank you
seafarers visit annually will very much SBU. And all the very
increase to around 35,000 by best Michael as you carry on
2016. That’s one big ever Newcastle’s fine tradition of
changing floating parish. caring for international crews
visiting the Hunter.
Left to right Garry Webb, David Field, Michael Davies, Col Brown, Garry Dodd
Page 3 GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 11 Part A