2026 Winter Master Mariners Newsletter
Discover how to win one of two Svitzer Tug Boat experiences, how to warm the hearts – and feet – of seafarers through our Father’s Day Appeal, see the winning images from our seafarers’ Life@Sea Photography competition and catch up on even more of what’s been happening at our Mission!
Record as 2026 Luncheon Celebrates Seafarers and MtS Sydney’s 145 Years of Service
More than 230 people, including maritime industry leaders, MPs and supporters, joined Mission to Seafarers teams from around NSW at NSW Parliament House for our annual Seafarers Welfare Luncheon, held this year as part of our 145th anniversary of caring for seafarers visiting Sydney. Speakers included Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley, Governor of NSW, John Graham MLC, NSW Minister for Transport, NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas, Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna and Glen Hayward from the Port of Newcastle.
Stats, Stories, Gratitude and Camaraderie at AGM
At our recent AGM, we shared that in 2025, we welcomed 7,015 seafarers to the Sydney Mission, helped transport 10,028 seafarers and visited 808 vessels. Our CEO Clayton reminded us that behind every number is a person, a crew, and a story. Find out more:
NSW Ports Provides Moments of Connection and Insight
Thank You NSW Ports! Not only have they once again donated all the ticket costs from their popular annual Port Botany Community Boat Tours towards our work at our Sydney Mission, but they also provided a meaningful way to thank some of our precious volunteers. Volunteer Bernadette Bolo shares about the experience.
Easter Appeal for Fuel – Master’s Mariner Newsletter
Rising fuel costs are putting real pressure on our vital free mini-bus service, transporting crew between Port Botany and our Mission. Please support our Easter Appeal to help us keep things running smoothly! See our Easter Winter Master’s Mariner newsletter for more details plus Rev Tay’s Easter Message, stories of our Chaplains’ in action plus our fundraising raffle – thank you Engage Marine for once again donating a Harbour adventure that money can’t buy!
Welcome Rev Simon – an Architect Who Now Rebuilds Lives
Welcome to Rev Simon who has a clear passion for supporting people of all cultures, and especially those far from home. Seafarers speaking Mandarin, Cantonese and Henan dialects, who usually have very limited English, are especially delighted when they meet Rev Simon and he greets them in their own languages.
Chaplain Rev Retchie Highly Commended Award
Congratulations to our Chaplain Rev Retchie Salvador on being highly commended for the Seafarers Welfare Award at the DCN Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards 2025. His unwavering compassion, leadership, and steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of our seafarers have made a profound difference!
‘Sea Carers’ featured in Southern Cross Magazine
Our Chaplain Retchie beautifully shows the heart and soul of our work in “Sea Carers” – the cover story of Southern Cross Magazine August-September 2025 – out now.
Record Guests at 2025 MtS Seafarers Welfare Event
We are delighted that more than 210 people including industry leaders and MPs attended our Annual Parliamentary seafarers’ welfare function this year! They united to honour and support the vital contribution of the more than 110,000 seafarers who arrive on cargo vessels, and the around 360,000 more arriving on cruise ships, into NSW ports every year.
Celebrate Volunteer Week – Meet Airo
Happy National Volunteer Week! Thank you to the many amazing people who help our tiny team each year in a wide variety of ways! To give a small insight into why volunteers join our team, former seafarer and our multi-skilled volunteer Airo kindly agreed to share his story.
