Clayton Strong
CEO
Our CEO Clayton is a true global citizen whose corporate career has included living in five nations. He knows how to bring out the best in people from a wide range of cultures and delights in empowering teams to meet needs effectively and with gentle care.
Clayton first became engaged with the needs of seafarers during his time in Japan in the 1990s and was particularly moved seeing their plight during the covid lock downs. He started work at MtS Sydney soon after, initially coming on board to help the Mission recover from losses caused by the pandemic.
An active member of his community and local church, he is passionate both about building both effective relationships and robust systems to achieve maximum outcomes for good causes.
He delights in encouraging volunteers as well as relating well and meeting the needs of our corporate partners. Despite his extensive experience working in major corporate hierarchies, he is skilled and comfortable filling in at all levels as needed – a true faithful servant leader.
Rev Un Tay
Principal Chaplain
Rev Un Tay has been energetically and joyfully providing holistic care at the Mission since 2008. He has the gift of relating well to people at all levels and moves easily between public presentations to providing spiritual guidance and comfort to seafarers in hospital. He is often also translating and advocating for ill seafarers.
His leadership and innovation skills came to the fore during the toughest of times – COVID lockdowns. He led the launch of Zoom prayer services then Shop-Hoppers for Seafarers providing gangway deliveries. MtS buses became integral to the only port-based free vaccination program for cargo ship seafarers in the world (as far as we can establish). Our buses became mobile vaccination centres, resulting in over 3500 seafarers being vaccinated in Sydney.
Working with our team, volunteers and cruise ship management, he had led the growth of cruise ship seafarer engagement from almost zero to hundreds per season visiting the Centre last year.
Rev Tay was awarded the MtS International Shore-based Award in 2024 for his significant contribution to seafarers’ welfare.
Originally from Malaysia, he is fluent in six languages. Rev Tay is an active member of the Anglican Chinese Ministry and his home church is St Annes Anglican Church Ryde.
Jim Watt
Counsellor and Chaplain
A trained counsellor, Chaplain Jim provides counselling services to those in need in the general community as well as serving seafarers full-time at our Mission for over eight years. When 19 cruise ship tourists were killed during the explosion of the White Island volcano in New Zealand, Jim was a key member of the team called aboard to minister to the traumatised crew.
He has been a pastor in two Sydney churches since graduating with a BTh from Moore College and values interdenominational ministry.
He is passionate about supporting people working through a tough past or facing tough times. Ukrainian seafarers in particular have found him a sources of comfort at our Mission.
Jim led the welfare arm of Newtown Mission Uniting Church for 10 years. He has also worked with Prison Fellowship, visiting and ministering in several gaols.
Retchie Salvador
Reverend - Chaplain
Rev Retchie’s warmth, Filipino upbringing and fluency in four native Filipino languages helps him to connect brilliantly with seafarers. He also speaks Korean. Seafarers love it when he joins in singalongs at the Centre! They often contact him for advice and comfort long after they have left Sydney.
He was highly commended at the DCN Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards 2025 for his service and steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of seafarers.
An ordained Anglican Minister, Rev Retchie also serves as the honorary Assistant Minister at St Marks Anglican Church Granville caring for the Filipino congregation of over 100 people.
Simon Pei
Reverend - Chaplain
Rev Simon 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.
His years serving Chinese-speaking Christian congregations in Sydney followed over 20 years working in architectural design including running his own businesses in Hong Kong and in Shenzhen, mainland China.
A father a four, he enjoys travelling, kayaking and hiking. He said he especially enjoys talking to, and praying with, seafarers for their families when invited to do so. He is a Justice of the Peace and continues to volunteer in Sydney’s Chinese Christian community
Jack Starmans
Chaplain - Volunteer
After many years of ministering to people in impoverished parts of NSW, Chaplain Jack joined the Mission team in 2008.
Having experienced life as a industrial blacksmith and welder, Jack can relate to hard working people from all walks of life.
He also connects well with shy seafarers by giving free pool lessons. Jack enjoys exploring the deeper questions about life and faith with anyone who is keen and sharing messages of joy and hope whenever he has the opportunity.
Jack is also a gospel-style singer/songwriter and has his own YouTube channel @jackstarmans7571
Nadja Leffler
Communication Connections
Nadja started her career as a newspaper journalist and still delights in finding and sharing stories to promote social justice. She strives to build bridges of understanding to inspire people with the capacity to make a difference to do so.
She has an MA in International Communication and experience in marketing for Christian aid agencies, politicians and for higher education institutions. Nadja is part-time at the Mission so also works freelance, mainly helping good causes and non-digital natives with their branding and online marketing.
She has three children and a labrador. Born in Slovenia, she has an ecumenical background and her home church is now St Andrews, Roseville.
Mariam Low
Team and Seafarer Services
Mariam Low leverages her diverse linguistic and administration skills, compassion and resilience forged through personal challenges to foster deep connections with seafarers and volunteers.
She also uses her events management and wellbeing training to support our small team, including on weekends.
Her experience as a migrant from Malaysia adjusting to life in Australia gives her added empathy with seafarers. “Seafarers are so far from home and can feel overwhelmed. But they can often work issues out for themselves when they find someone who truly listens. In these moments we can truly make a meaningful impact in their lives,” she said.
