GLAD TIDINGS No. 10 PART A

This edition of the newsletter brings profoundly sad tidings. As most readers will already know our very popular and much loved London-based Secretary General Revd Tom Heffer died recently at the age of 43 years. Dennis Claughton, Fremantle Flying Angel Club’s chaplain represented us at Tom’s funeral held at Norwich Cathedral on 9 May. Tom made three trips to Australia- the most recent to Beauty Point (TAS) for last year’s national conference. During these trips he was able to visit our centres in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Townsville, Melbourne, Geelong, Portland, Fremantle, Bunbury, Port Kembla, Wallaroo, and our newest centre Port Giles South Australia, in November last year.

Editorial RIP Reverend Tom Heffer “He had a gift for

friendship and was the sort of

priest whom people

instinctively loved.”

Bishop Graham

Ship visiting in Fremantle

Tom’s last three days spent on Australian soil were in Darwin, with the editor, visiting East Arm port and meeting with a number of people and groups in the process of setting up a seafarers’ centre at the Top End. We were in Darwin on Melbourne Cup day when Tom with great panache insisted on having a punt on Australia’s most famous horse race. With a refreshing ale in hand, he rippled with laughter when his carefully considered bet, a noble horse called “Drunken Sailor” faded from sight at the back of the field as the champion Dunaden romped across the winning line! Tom had a very keen knowledge and admiration for the work our 500 MTS personnel carried out for the world’s seafarers on this continent.

In this edition:

• Port Giles centre

officially opened • Portland Flying Angel –

50 years young • Why we do what we

do – some hard facts • Three cheers for

Honorio – Gladstone celebrates

GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 10 Part A

Tom was also well aware of the tremendous respect and gratitude that the Aussies had for his prophetic leadership, and courage in taking on what must be one of the world’s most demanding jobs- overseeing with a Christian compassion and love the operation of over two hundred and fifty mission centres located across five continents. Of course, when Tom visited our shores it took him away from his beloved wife and daughter and our prayers and hearts go out to them; for we are greatly indebted to Roz and Abi for being so generous in sharing Tom’s precious time with us. He

often told us, with much warmth and happiness, stories about his home and family (including the pesky dog). Tom’s kindness, easy going manner, intelligence, laser sharp wit and delightful sense of fun will not be forgotten. The seafarers of the world have lost one of their truly great champions and the Australian ministry a truly great friend and brother. Col Brown

Editorial RIP Reverend Tom Heffer

Port Giles Centre officially opened

Official opening – Port Giles

Tom at the National Conference dinner at Hobart, 2011

The new kid on the block (dock), our latest and 27th centre was officially opened last month by the Ven Michael Hillier. A large crowd, way beyond expectations turned up for the grand ceremony at St Mary’s hall in tiny Edithburgh. Earlier that morning Fr Thomas (chaplain to Port Giles) was interviewed on ‘Macca around Australia’ to announce over national radio that the opening was taking place. It seemed that half of Australia made it to Edithburgh (and the other half telephoned Thomas)! Geoff and June Harrison were thrilled at the response, and taken by absolute surprise when two seafarers they had cared for at Port Giles magically appeared on a big screen at the ceremony via SKYPE to wish them well- one seafarer beaming in from Manila and the other from a city in India. Perhaps these two had somehow heard it on “Macca “as well! June keeps a vibrant and action packed facebook- check it out at “facebook.com/portgiles mts”.

Page 2 GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 10 Part A

Many people are not aware of the following facts- • Over 90% of world trade is

carried by sea, providing work to more than one million seafarers.

• Thirty million people make a living by fishing

• The rate of suicide for international seafarers is triple that of shore workers, and they are 26 times more likely to be killed at work.

• Shipping is a truly international industry- in today’s global market you might have a Greek owned vessel, registered in Malta with officers from India and a mixed crew from Thailand, Indonesia, Vanuatu and the Philippines.

• Piracy hit an all time high in the first six months of 2011, with 266 attacks worldwide, up from 196 a year earlier according to statistics from the International Maritime

Why we do what we do – some hard facts

Last month, great celebrations took place at our Portland, Victoria mission. The celebrations marked fifty years of the good people of Portland caring for seafarers visiting their port. Congratulations to the Portland organising team and especially Neville Manson and Capt Peter Gracias for hosting the historic event. The gathering was delighted that Garry Weatherill their new bishop and chair of the MTS Australian Council, was able to visit Portland and lead the volunteers, supporters and well wishers in the celebrations. The Portland mission is also very grateful to the Port of Portland for

Portland Flying Angel – 50 years young

Bureau. Of the 266 attacks, 60% were carried out by Somalia based pirates.

• Seafarers are among the most exploited and abused groups of workers in the world, yet their plight is barely recognised by the mainstream media and public opinion, says the ITF report, “Out of Sight Out of Mind”.

Indeed, our work worldwide is often described, rather dauntingly, as “an invisible ministry to invisible people”. But without doubt, our daily efforts on five continents to care for the well being of crews, to advocate for them and promote the worth of their services helps make seafarers more visible, more valued and better protected. This is our core business, our response to the ever challenging two thousand year old words found in Matthew 25:35-37. May we always stay focussed and faithful to the task of ‘welcoming the stranger’.

the constant and solid support offered, including the use of ideally located premises within the Port precincts. Bring on the next fifty Portland!

Page 3 GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 10 Part A

Three cheers for Honorio – Gladstone celebrates

Honorio Hincapie was recently commissioned by Bishop Godfrey Fryar as chaplain to the Gladstone MTS. Honorio reports that he is thoroughly enjoying the new challenge and the strong support he has received from his dedicated team of volunteers. Gladstone is a rapidly expanding port placing great demands on Honorio and his volunteers and they are flat out trying to keep pace. As well as additional volunteers and financial support they need more time to relax, plan and sleep such is the scope of the challenge there.

Page 4

Honorio who formerly volunteered for us at the Port Kembla mission centre invited their pastoral manager John Kewa to run a ship visitors training course at Gladstone the day prior to and the day of his commissioning. The course was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by the participating volunteers who are soon to receive their certificates from London.

GLAD TIDINGS 2012 No. 10 Part A

Father Paul, Honorio and Bishop Godfrey – MTS Gladstone Chapel