Thank you to the NSW Seafarer Welfare Fund, the Sydney Bethel Union – our core partner – AMWS and all the organisations who help make our various events and wellbeing services for seafarers possible.
Image: (l to r) MtS Newcastle Rev Canon Garry Dodd, NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas, Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna, Port of Newcastle Glen Hayward, NSW Ports Chair Christine Bartlett, MtS Syd CEO Clayton Strong, Port Kembla Principal Chaplain John Kewa, MtS Regional Director Sue Dight.
Our Partners
Thank you to The Port Authority of New South Wales, NSW Ports and Port of Newcastle for joining forces to provide funding security to seafarer welfare charities in NSW. Mission to Seafarers Sydney is honoured to have been chosen in all three rounds for NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund (SWF) grants.
The NSW SWF continues to boost the wellbeing of seafarers visiting all our state’s ports by funding a range of critical services and programs delivered by maritime-focused charities with a proven track record.
Find out how the NSW SWF has helped improve seafarers’ lives in Sydney so far: MtS SWF Impact Report
Thank you to the Founding Organisations for sharing their motivation and calling for additional support at the MtS Sydney Seafarers Welfare Event 2026.
John McKenna
Chief Executive Officer
Port Authority of New South Wales
“The Fund supports the wellbeing of seafarers, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s essential to shipping and our economy … The latest figures from Gard Insurance report show that when seafarers have accidents or are in conditions that are unsafe, a vessel can be delayed and costs could quickly escalate to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This is an investment in our people, in our industry. Supporting our seafarers is like an insurance policy or a smart investment for your business … [join us] become a contributor to the New South Wales Seafarer Welfare Fund.”
Marika Calfas
Chief Executive Officer
NSW Ports
“Seafarers play a hugely important part for all of us and this nation … we joined the Seafarer Welfare Fund to provide this greater certainty of funding for these very important organisations, and they have done an amazing job … provided incredibly important services – transport, communication, well-being support, as well as pastoral care, something that people far from home really do appreciate. And I’ve seen that first-hand and you can see the appreciation and the gratitude of the seafarers. You can see the dedication of the volunteers … so thank you to Mission to Seafarers and the other seafarer support organisations for looking after those who are far from home and for making them feel welcome and valued.”
Glen Hayward
Executive Manager Marine & Operations
Port of Newcastle
“We talk a lot in our industry about cargo, about trade, about supply chain, but none of this moves without seafarers The truth is this, our industry depends on them. The question is, can they depend on us? … Sometimes all goes well, sometimes it does not. And when it does not, the Mission is there…
But we need more organizations to join [the NSW SWF] not because it’s good relations, not because it’s good publicity, not because it’s fashionable, because it’s the right thing to do and because industry that looks after its people is a stronger industry. It’s that simple.”
The Hon John Graham MLC
NSW Minister for
Transport
“In the transport space, I couldn’t think of any organisation that’s doing work that’s more important, that’s more critical, and that is so focused than what this organisation [Mission to Seafarers] is doing…[thank you all for] providing seafarers with dignity, with respect, and with the compassion they deserve…
I would like to echo John McKenna’s call for others to get involved with supporting the welfare fund. Thank you again to the mission, to the port operators, to every volunteer and advocate in this room for the work you do. You remind us that our ports are not just engines of economic opportunity. That matters so much to the state, but they’re also places of care and community.”
Philip Holliday
Chief Executive Officer & Director, 2019 to 2025
Port Authority of NSW
“The Mission to Seafarers is a compassionate and dedicated organisation… They have a very rich history … as a former seafarer myself I know the challenges that seafarers face with many arriving in ports suffering from isolation, fatigue, tough working conditions and physical and mental health issues in an environment where they can easily feel alone – And that’s where the mission steps in … it’s an essential element.”
Philip Holliday, 2024 Seafarers Welfare Event
Kaylene Dale
Chief Executive Office
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
“Investing in seafarer wellbeing is not just about caring for people—it is a fundamental pillar of maritime safety, as essential as maintaining the ship’s mechanical integrity…I strongly believe that individually and together, the work we do can help safeguard and improve the health, dignity, and effectiveness of those who keep our world connected and challenge you all to consider how you could enhance your efforts.”
Kaylene Dale, 2025 Seafarers Welfare Event
Craig Carmody
Chief Executive Officer
Port of Newcastle
“What it [the Seafarer Welfare Fund) means is that the seafarers mission no longer has to live hand to mouth. (…) It allows them to have stability in planning and provision of services.(…) it is an acknowledgement of the importance of the mission to seafarers to the ports and to our collective community…”
Craig Carmody, 2024 Seafarers Welfare Event
Jonathan Lafforgue
General Manager Operations and Environment
NSW Ports
“I’ve worked in the ports and maritime industry for the past 25 years, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting seafarers from all over the world. (…) You’d be hard pressed to find a friendlier and more dedicated bunch of people have always been so appreciative of the initiatives and programmes they have access to. (…) it’s so important to shine light on not just the life of the seafarer but also the incredible work organisations like Mission to Seafarers do at ports throughout the state.”
Jonathan Lafforgue, 2024 Seafarers Welfare Event
Our Sponsors
Thank you to all the organisations who have supported our Annual Seafarers Welfare Event at NSW Parliament House each June, particularly this year’s sponsors: Boluda Towage Australasia (Principal), GAC Group, The MCC Group, CSL Australia, Squadron Energy and Daily Cargo News. Find out more about Our Events.
Our Supporters
Thank you to all the organisations throughout the year who support us in a variety of ways.
Thank you particularly to: Worklocker Leeton, Svitzer Tugs and Line Services, the Australian Mariners Welfare Society (AMWS), St Anne’s Church Ryde, St Johns Anglican Church Dee Why and the APS Foundation.
We also acknowledge and thank the many other organisations who work with us to help seafarers in need, especially AMSA and the ITF.
Paddy Crumlin
President
International Transport Workers Federation
Mr Crumlin, who plays an international role in campaigning for maritime workers’ rights, was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Mission to Seafarers Annual Luncheon.
He shared his insights on their needs and solutions for a better future for all at the event. He praised the diverse gathering of Maritime industry leaders and workers, government and union representatives and the supporters, volunteers and staff of maritime charities, saying “this event was a celebration of unity for the sake of seafarers”.
“We’re here together today in celebration of the fact that we care … and we’re doing something about it,” he said.
Mr Crumlin highlighted that caring for seafarers today helped to protect our global economic, social and environmental future.
“Our global economy and the safety of our seas depends on their special skills and their overall health,” he said.
AMSA
Image – AMSA CEO Mick Kinley (right) with Rev Tay honouring the seamen of the Merchant Navy.
“Seafarers face many challenges and need continuing support …AMSA’s work monitoring and checking visiting ships and crew work conditions has made more international ship owners aware of the importance of seafarer health and safety… However much more could be done to assist seafarers…AMSA strongly supports the work of The Mission to Seafarers and works closely with the local Mission when it is necessary to solve and support crew with welfare issues.“
– Mr Kinley’s speech, MTS Luncheon 2022 (due to covid, he was represented by Michael Drake, Executive Director)
Thank you WorkLocker Leeton
Image: Sometimes businesses support us with practical gifts to help us meet seafarers’ needs. Our team member Mariam distributes high quality work socks provided with a significant discount by WorkLocker Leeton. They made about 1000 seafarers smile in the week of Fathers Day 2025.
