The document provides updates on several Maritime Welfare Services initiatives: 1) The Flying Angel Fremantle center in Australia was recognized by the ILO for its excellence in providing welfare services to seafarers. 2) New members were elected to the MTS Australian Council, including Capt. Dave Ellis, Reverend Garry Dodd, Reverend Dennis Claughton, and Reverend Noah Park. 3) The MTS Sydney center received the Lloyds List DCN Annual Shipping & Maritime Industry Award for its seafarer welfare work. A volunteer from MTS Hobart, 91-year old Jack Tomes, also received special recognition for his 75 years of service.

1. GLAD TIDINGS No. 9 PART B
Featured in Part B:
• Flying Angel
Fremantle’s work
recognized by the ILO
• New members
David Cockcroft elected to the MTS
of the ITF, Paddy Australian Council
Crumlin of the
MUA/ITF and
Dennis • MTS Sydney’s Lloyds list
DCN award in
Melbourne
Flying Angel Fremantle’s work recognised at the ILO • Commissioning of
Chaplain Geoff
Geneva Harrison at Port Giles
Hearty congratulations to all the hard it particularly special as the worlds’
working and dedicated staff and seafarers themselves nominate the • Father Thomas goes
volunteers at Fremantle for being seafarers centres of their choice. MTS’ overboard for a
shortlisted as one of six seafarers Dennis Claughton and Ann Robinson stranded crew at
centres from around the world for the were both invited to the awards
Christmas
ICSW’s International Seafarers Welfare ceremony that took place on the
Award 2011- ‘recognising excellence in opening night of the Maritime Labour
the provision of welfare services and Convention tripartite meeting on 12
facilities to seafarers’. This is the second December, 2011 at the ILO Geneva.
year running that our Fremantle Club Well done, Fremantle.
has received such an honour - making
New members elected to the MTS Australian Council
for 2012-13
On the final day of our national general of the Society worldwide is also
biennial conference participants voted a member. The national coordinator
in a new Council to serve for the next continues to serve on the Council as an
two years. The new faces are Capt. ex- officio member.
Dave Ellis (Brisbane), Reverend Garry
Dodd (Newcastle), Reverend Canon
Father Thomas
Dennis Claughton (Fremantle) and
conducts service
Reverend Noah Park (Geelong). Two onboard.
not so new faces, the Reverend Ian
Porter (Sydney) and Graham Miller See story on page 2.
(Townsville) have been returned for
another two years. Graham will act as
honorary secretary and is now the
longest serving member.
Council’s liaison bishops are Garry
Weatherill (Ballarat) and Paul White
(Melbourne).
The Reverend Tom Heffer secretary

2. MTS Sydney’s Lloyds List DCN award in Melbourne
Sydney MTS were delighted to be now in his 75th year of serving as a
awarded the Lloyds List DCN Annual volunteer for our Hobart mission also
Shipping & Maritime Industry Award received a special award on the
2011 “Seafarers Welfare Award” at night for a “life long service to
a dinner in Melbourne in November. seafarers’. Jack intimated that he
Ian Porter received the Award on has no thoughts of retirement during
behalf of his dedicated staff at the his interview that can be found on
Sydney mission. the Lloyds List DCN website.
Hobart’s 91 year old Jack Tomes,
Thomas ascending the ladder
See story below.
Commissioning of chaplain Geoff Harrison at Port Giles
Congratulations to Geoff Harrison our newly
commissioned chaplain to Port Giles on the
waters of the Gulf of St Vincent SA. Bishop
Garry led the commissioning held at St
Benedict’s Minlaton. There to cheer on Geoff
were many local parishioners as well as Fr
Thomas Karamas who has been a wonderful
force in getting our newest ministry up and
running.
Geoff most ably supported by June has hit the
ground (gangway) running/climbing with a
radical increase in the number of ships visiting
this isolated grain port. Greatwork Geoff, June,
Thomas, Joan and the rest. And good luck with
the opening of the new centre for seafarers in
bustling Edithburgh.
Bishop Garry, June & Geoff & Father Thomas
Fr Thomas goes overboard for a
stranded crew at Christmas
Following an SOS call from the captain that his
ship was anchored 10 kms off Port Giles and his
crew were desperate to celebrate Christmas
somehow the Port Giles volunteers swung into
action. Hiring a launch Thomas, Geoff and
June headed out to the ship. Only Thomas was
crazy enough to ascend the 100 metre
swaying rope ladder. The crew was thrilled for
the visit, and very grateful that Thomas was
able to bring blessings, lead the service and
celebrate Christmas with them (and distribute Father Thomas is welcomed onboard.
phone cards as Christmas presents).
Page 2 GLAD TIDINGS No. 9 part B 2012