Image: Chaplain David connects with an AB seaman on his first container vessel visit
Thanks to the NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund, our Mission has a new part-time Chaplain! Welcome Reverend Canon David Wong who speaks five languages and has impressive pastoral and charity qualifications. His Mandarin and Cantonese skills will be especially welcomed by the many Chinese seafarers who visit our Centre and often speak little English.
The position was able to be funded thanks to the support of the Port Authority of NSW and NSW Ports through the first round of Seafarer Welfare Fund grants. At the Mission to Seafarers Sydney the vast majority of our face-to-face services are delivered by our Chaplains so this was a very practical and worthwhile way to expand the reach of our work.
Chaplain David felt called towards a role that involved more direct care and it comes with the added bonus of little administration when compared with his past roles running congregations of hundreds of people. The selection panel were particularly impressed by his experience with a wide variety of cultures in many different contexts. This was perfectly matched with his willingness to do the hands-on work of meeting seafarers where they are at and share his vast experience dealing with the painful and stressful issues of life.
From his first ship visit, Chaplain David’s ability to connect well with seafarers was on show. “It’s going to be so interesting to help seafarers from all different faiths and over 70 nations, especially to learn more about their lives and countries. On my first day, an Ethiopian seafarer explained the history of the offspring of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon – something I had never thought about before! I enjoy talking with people and finding things we have in common. That also makes it easier for seafarers to share if they need comfort, advice, prayer or help with anything specifically,” Chaplain David said.
As well as enjoying hearing about seafarers’ lives and concerns, he’s also a skilled singer and plays the guitar and harmonica – perfect for our Centre sing-a-longs!
Chaplain David and his wife recently returned to Sydney after spending two years helping a multicultural church in Adelaide. During his time in Malaysia, before he moved to Australia with his family, Chaplain David also worked with the Orang Asli (Native peoples of West Malaysia), was a director at the Era Harvest Centre (as a Director, 2000-2003) and founded children’s homes in Kuantan, Malaysia and in Indonesia.
During his time in Sydney, Chaplain David served as Minister of several churches including St Mark’s Anglican Church Granville. He has also held a wide variety of pastoral advisory roles in Sydney including as a Member of the Chinese Advisory Group to the Archbishop of Sydney, Vice-Chairman of the Sydney Chinese Christian Churches Association and President of, and then Advisor to, the First Light Care (Counselling Centre). He is also on the Board of Directors of the Chinese Christian Mission Australia, where, as a long-term member, he first learned about the Mission to Seafarers from our Rev Tay and was inspired by his enthusiasm.
He smiled when he was warned about potentially being stuck in Sydney’s peak hour traffic while driving our free bus service for seafarers. “Simple acts of service are another way I can show seafarers I care. Time to just talk is a proven yet easy way to provide comfort,” he said.
Chaplain David said he was delighted to be part of a Mission that had served in Sydney since 1881. He was looking forward to seeing how his very varied skills and experience could be used to help those working a tough job, far away from home for many months at a time.
MtS Sydney is grateful to the NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund for boosting our wellbeing services in this practical way. The Fund was established this year to help look after the often invisible seafarer workforce that contribute to the NSW economy and the lives of everyday Australians. It recognises that many seafarers arrive suffering from the demands of life at sea, alone in trying to deal with isolation, fatigue, tough working conditions and physical and mental health stresses. Through this new fund, the Port Authority of NSW, NSW Ports and the Port of Newcastle are providing a lifeline to seafarers by helping the welfare organisations in NSW who support seafarers every day of the year. We are proud to call them our Partners in serving seafarers.
