ON 18 May, the Australian Mariners Welfare Society gathered to celebrate retired chairman Captain Alan Tait’s outstanding service to the charity and to the cause of seafarer welfare. The function was held at the City Tattersalls Club in Sydney.

Mr Tait joined the society in 1984. He became a councillor in 1992 and took over as chair in 2005. He filled that role for 15 years before stepping down 12 months ago.

In a speech at the function, current chair of AMWS David Parmeter said Mr Tait has been tireless in his support of seafarer welfare and generously gave his time to the cause.

Alan Tait and Reverend Un Tay of the Mission to Seafarers

“The reason we are here today is to acknowledge and thank Alan for his outstanding leadership of AMWS,” Mr Parmeter said.

I am delighted to say Alan has remained a council member and is as active and engaged with seafarer welfare as ever. And I certainly appreciate his ongoing support and guidance.”

Last year Mr Tait was made a life member of AMWS. At the ceremony this week Mr Parmeter presented him with a framed certificate of life membership.

In presenting the certificate, Mr Parmeter said: “Alan I ask that you accept this as a small token of the respect, admiration and affection of everyone who know you”.