REPRESENTATIVES from the shipping, ports and maritime sectors gathered at Government House in Sydney on Wednesday (28 October) to mark Mission to Seafarers Sydney’s 145th anniversary in a very special celebration.
The Mission’s vice-regal patrons, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and Dennis Wilson, hosted the reception, bringing together industry representatives, staff, volunteers and supporters of the mission.
After greeting the guests in the main reception hall, Her Excellency showed her passion, interest and commitment to the Mission in a speech that highlighted the importance of business and community support in sustaining the Mission’s work with seafarers.
“It's those who work there, it's the board, the staff, the volunteers, but most importantly, those who support it.”
Talking of the support behind the Mission, Ms Beazley said: “You have no idea how fundamentally significant that is in ensuring the work of the seafarers keeps going.”
The governor also traced the organisation’s connections to an 1822 meeting chaired by the Reverend William Cowper that established the Sydney Bethel Union, which continues to provide core funding for the Mission’s work in NSW.
Images: Dominque Elich
She welcomed his five-times-great-grandson James Cowper, a volunteer director of the Sydney Bethel Union, who was among the guests, and Mission director Jane Fyffe, whose parents met and married through the Mission and whose family has a longstanding volunteering connection.
“That’s just two connections, but it's all of your connections which are most important.”
Mission to Seafarers Sydney chief executive Clayton Strong’s anniversary message focused on celebrating the organisation’s history while securing its future.
He emphasised the importance of working together to support the welfare of visiting seafarers.
Following the formalities, the doors were opened to the garden terrace, where guests enjoyed locally sourced afternoon tea and networked overlooking Sydney Harbour.