Christmas spirit was in action at Port Botany when more than 50 volunteers from across our port community united to pack gift bags for seafarers who won’t be seeing their loved ones at this special time.
Thank you also to the Port Authority of NSW for donating a prize that money can’t buy to our Christmas Raffle – it’s a Sydney Harbour trip on their marine fire fighting vessel for 4 in 2026! Details: tinyurl.com/25Burra.
Staff from the Port Authority of NSW, NSW Ports, WISTA, Engage Marine, DCN, Ampol Kurnell Terminal and many others united for the annual event to help boost seafarers’ mental health. Stella Maris, Sister Mary Leahy and Mission to Seafarers CEO Clayton Strong thanked all the volunteers, Svitzer for donating the BBQ lunch and also the organisations behind the NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund (SWF): the Port Authority of NSW and NSW Ports.
Mr Strong said it was fitting that at the end of a year grants from these two organisations had helped seafarers, that some of their staff had personally stepped up to make a difference.
“For seafarers who often haven’t seen their families for up to nine months, a gift bag of care can be a meaningful boost to their mental health,” he said. “The ship visits from Sr Mary and our Chaplains, partly funded by NSW SWF grants, are also a valuable support at this often difficult time, as well as throughout the year.”
Sister Mary Leahy said there will now be another 2000 toy koalas bringing smiles around the world thanks to the volunteers’ hard work [on Wednesday November 27]. She said the simple gifts were a constant reminder for seafarers that Sydney’s port community cares. “The community spirit today was really wonderful. We saw the flourishing of humanity, friendship, generosity and the spirit of Christmas in action.
Thank you to everyone involved and especially our volunteer organiser Michael [Kelly]. He’s been making this happen for seven years now. He’s a working-class hero – a good man to the core who brings out the best in others.”
Pilots will be delivering the gift bags including a cute koala, Aussie fridge magnets, work socks, something sweet – and even a handwritten Christmas card – directly to the ships during December.
Teanna Heta, Stevedore Shift Manager for Qube Ports, rallied 16 volunteers through WISTA. She said: “I work with lots of seafarers and see that it can be very lonely for them so far from home. It must be even harder at Christmas. This is just a small way to show them we value their work; we see them and we care.”
Paul Zalai from the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) came along on his birthday with his wife WISTA member Caroline. They joined in after hearing Michael Kelly’s invitation when he won the Seafarers Welfare Award at the DCN Maritime Awards last week.
Paul said: “I thought it was a great idea – it’s an easy way to give back and help seafarers, especially when lots of people get involved … It’s been a wonderful industry community event – I’ve reconnected with people I haven’t seen for years.”
Mark, a NSW Ports volunteer, who has previously also served with the SES for over 20 years, said: “It’s Christmas – it’s all about giving. The world revolves around volunteering so take the chance when you can. It’s being a great way to help seafarers and connect with old friends and make new ones.”
Russel and his friend John had travelled all the way from the Ampol Kurnell Terminal. Why? “It’s Christmas! We have so much and they just don’t”.
Daily Cargo News Publisher Lindsay Reed delivered sweet treats and stayed to fill bags. “It’s wonderful to see everyone come together like this – there’s such a spirit of joy.”
Former Port Headland pilot Ian Anderson said: “It’s great opportunity to help those stuck on board this time of year so far from their loved ones. You just never really know what they are going through, but you can see from their smiles these bags are worth the effort.”
Key organiser of the day, Port Authority Marine Pilot, Michael Kelly said the port workers came back year after year because they could see the happiness it brings. Port community members’ donations had also paid for the contents.
“It’s a small gesture on our part, but it can have a huge impact on someone’s welfare,” he said.
Mr Strong said supporting seafarer welfare was more than just a wonderful expression of Christmas spirit. “The 2024 Gard Crew Claims Report found that 11% of over 400 deaths on insured vessels between 2019-2023 were due to suicide. Investing in seafarer wellbeing is not just about caring for people – it’s fundamental to maritime safety,” he said.
There’s still a way to boost seafarers’ wellbeing this Christmas
Please consider making a contribution to our Mission to Seafarers Christmas Appeal. All funds will go towards growing our wellbeing services such as ship and hospital visits in 2026. With your support, we can help even more of the 400,000 seafarers who visit Sydney’s ports each year. Thank you.
