Port Hedland Seafarers Centre Latest News
Chaplain takes out international award
Alexander Scott - North West Telegraph - Monday, 14 October 2019 2:54PM
Port Hedland Seafarers chaplain Garry South took out the International Seafarers Personality of the Year award. Credit: Alexander Scott
Port Hedland Seafarers chaplain Garry South has taken out an international award in recognition of his tireless commitment to helping seafarers.
He won the Dr Dierk Lindemann Welfare Personality of the Year award at the International Seafarers Welfare Awards.
The awards were held in London on September 11 as part of the International Shipping Week and saw Mr South beat out five other nominees
Mr South began working with seafarers eight years ago when the senior chaplain asked for help to run the centre.
Part of his role as chaplain, involved visiting the ships in port and at sea, hearing complaints from seafarers about working conditions on board, making hospital visits, and providing transport to visiting seafarers.
He said the port saw more than 34,000 seafarers last year.
Mr South said he was honoured to win the award and receive recognition for what the Port Hedland centre does.
“I didn’t expect to win, but everyone at the centre was confident,” he said.
“What’s more important than winning the award, is the seafarers being looked after, and getting humane treatment.”
Mr South said the award was also recognition for the help the mining companies have given the centre.
“The mining companies have been very supportive of the launch boat service, and they want to help contribute to that service,” he said.
“Without that, it would be more difficult for us to bring seamen to shore, and many seafarers have told me that the best stress reliever is going to shore.”
He won the Dr Dierk Lindemann Welfare Personality of the Year award at the International Seafarers Welfare Awards.
The awards were held in London on September 11 as part of the International Shipping Week and saw Mr South beat out five other nominees
Mr South began working with seafarers eight years ago when the senior chaplain asked for help to run the centre.
Part of his role as chaplain, involved visiting the ships in port and at sea, hearing complaints from seafarers about working conditions on board, making hospital visits, and providing transport to visiting seafarers.
He said the port saw more than 34,000 seafarers last year.
Mr South said he was honoured to win the award and receive recognition for what the Port Hedland centre does.
“I didn’t expect to win, but everyone at the centre was confident,” he said.
“What’s more important than winning the award, is the seafarers being looked after, and getting humane treatment.”
Mr South said the award was also recognition for the help the mining companies have given the centre.
“The mining companies have been very supportive of the launch boat service, and they want to help contribute to that service,” he said.
“Without that, it would be more difficult for us to bring seamen to shore, and many seafarers have told me that the best stress reliever is going to shore.”
Ship to Shore Newsletter
Check out our regular newsletter - Ship to Shore, for further information about whats happening in and around the seafarers centre! You can find previous editions here also.
Christmas goodies for seafarers
Taken from The North West Telegraph - Wednesday 29th November 2017. By Sophia Constantine.
Nicky and John Latham helping assemble bags at the weekend.
Picture: Helen Komene |
Seafarers coming into Port Hedland in the two weeks leading up to Christmas will receive gift bags courtesy of the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre.
Volunteers met at the Sealanes Building over the weekend to help assemble the bags, which contain various gifts valued about $40. Seafarers centre manager Chris Towsey said the bags were a token of appreciation for the seafarers who made Australia’s economy the success that it is. “It’s a service we offer to the seafarers every year,” he said. “It’s a small compensation for seafarers who work over Christmas. “They have a fairly hard life,” he said. “They have lack of contact with their families . . . time over Christmas can be fairly stressful and emotional for them.” He said if the seafarers didn’t give up their family life for nine months at a time, then no shipping would run. “Australia is an island. Everything big has to come and go by ship,” he said. Seafarers spend $5 million a year on average at the Boulevard Shopping Centre, bringing vital funds into the local economy. |
Stretcher to help sick sailors
Taken from The North West Telegraph - Wednesday 26th July 2017. By Sophia Constantine.
The Port Hedland Seafarers Centre has been given a stretcher to help with the safe transport of patients from ships in port and at anchor.
Fortescue Metals Group has donated the stretcher to the organisation, which provides pastoral care services and assistance to thousands of seafarers every month.
There is a transient population of about 1300 seafarers who visit Port Hedland each day, and around 66,000 visit the town each year.
As a long-time supporter of the Seafarers Centre, Fortescue takes part in the annual Christmas gift bag drive.
Food hampers and presents are given to ships’ crews who are anchored in Port Hedland in the leadup to Christmas. Seafarers Centre operations manager Chris Towsey said there were occasionally medical cases in which an evacuation was necessary.
“This stretcher will be a great asset in assisting the safe transport of patients from ships both in port and at anchor,” he said.
Fortescue general manager Port and Rail Fernando Pereira said the donation was set up to recognise the invaluable service the Seafarers Centre provided to Port Hedland.
He said the donation of the stretcher would ensure the centre was equipped with the necessary tools to assist seafarers safely.
“At Fortescue, the health and wellbeing of our people is paramount and this extends to the ongoing welfare of all crew that arrive at Herb Elliott Port,” he said.
Fortescue Metals Group has donated the stretcher to the organisation, which provides pastoral care services and assistance to thousands of seafarers every month.
There is a transient population of about 1300 seafarers who visit Port Hedland each day, and around 66,000 visit the town each year.
As a long-time supporter of the Seafarers Centre, Fortescue takes part in the annual Christmas gift bag drive.
Food hampers and presents are given to ships’ crews who are anchored in Port Hedland in the leadup to Christmas. Seafarers Centre operations manager Chris Towsey said there were occasionally medical cases in which an evacuation was necessary.
“This stretcher will be a great asset in assisting the safe transport of patients from ships both in port and at anchor,” he said.
Fortescue general manager Port and Rail Fernando Pereira said the donation was set up to recognise the invaluable service the Seafarers Centre provided to Port Hedland.
He said the donation of the stretcher would ensure the centre was equipped with the necessary tools to assist seafarers safely.
“At Fortescue, the health and wellbeing of our people is paramount and this extends to the ongoing welfare of all crew that arrive at Herb Elliott Port,” he said.
Tour Promotional Videos
The Port Hedland Seafarers Centre is gearing up for another busy tourist season. To help spread the word on the great tours provided by the Seafarers Centre, 2 promotional videos have been produced. Not only do the tours showcase what the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre does on a day to day basis, but the money raised goes directly to providing services for visiting seafarers! Check out the videos below.
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Christmas 2016 Gift Bag Drive
The Port Hedland Seafarers Centre has extended the Christmas spirit to visiting seafarers once again this year. Check out the video of this years gift bag drive. Thanks to Helen Komene for producting this video - https://www.helenkomene.com/
New supporters come aboard with Seafarers
Friday 29th July 2016.
The Port Hedland Seafarers Centre is a not for profit organisation, and relies on the support of the local community, to help look after the international seafaring community. The Seafarers Centre is delighted to have some new supporters "come board" to help the Centre with its ongoing work. We hope that you might support them as they have supported us, to continue with our worthwhile mission. Thanks!
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Please check out the Supporters page for more information
Christmas 2015 Gift Bag Drive
14th January 2016.
Every year Port Hedland Seafarers Centre will pack and distribute thousands of Christmas gift bags to Seafarers who will be berthed in the harbour or on standby at anchorage, up to 42 kilometres out to sea. The below video and photos are an insight to this massive undertaking.