Image: MtS CEO Clayton Strong, key organiser Stella Maris volunteer Marine Pilot, Michael Kelly, NSW Port CEO Marika Calfas and Chair Patricia McKenzie, Sr Mary of Stella Maris, and Ports of NSW CEO Philip Holliday thanked the volunteers.
Volunteers from pilots to office workers and even seafarers on their precious day off, worked side-by-side at Sister Mary’s cabin in Port Botany to fill over 1800 Christmas gift bags for seafarers!
Maritime charities Stella Maris and Mission to Seafarers, and the funders of the NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund – the Port Authority of NSW and NSW Ports – had sent out the call and over 40 volunteers responded.
NSW Port CEO Marika Calfas, Chair Patricia McKenzie and Ports of NSW CEO Philip Holliday visited the volunteers to thank them for their work. They were in turn thanked by Clayton Strong, Mission to Seafarers, and Sister Mary, Stella Maris, for their initiative this year in creating the NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund. The two charities had both received first round grants which made it possible for them to continue their varied wellbeing activities for seafarers throughout the year.
Mission to Seafarers CEO Clayton Strong said with 99% of Australia’s imports and exports arriving by sea, it’s not elves who are working hard to bring us our Christmas gifts this year – it’s seafarers! So volunteering to help fill Christmas gift bags for seafarers was an ideal way to boost Christmas spirit! “Christmas can be a lonely time for many, but for seafarers who often haven’t seen their families for up to nine months, a gift bag of care can be a huge boost to their mental health,” he said.
Sister Mary of Stella Maris and her volunteers had gathered over 2000 stuffed koalas, fridge magnets, peak caps and socks – and even a handwritten Christmas card – for the gift bags.
Key organiser of the day, Port Authority Marine Pilot, Michael Kelly said the port workers came back year after year to help out because they could see how happy the seafarers were when they received the gift bags. Port community members’ donations had also paid for the contents. “It’s nice to know a small gesture on our part can have a huge impact on someone’s welfare,” he said. Contact Michael or Sister Mary if you would like to contribute or help out next year.
Small gifts reminding seafarers that someone cares, can be what gets them through the dark times, so they can eventually return home safely to their loved ones.
Some images from the day – just contact us if you were there and would like more.
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 gift bag inserts and towards funding our wellbeing services such as ship and hospital visits. With your support, we can help even more of the 400,000 seafarers who visit Sydney’s ports each year. Thank you.
