No history of the Mission to Seafarers in Australia would be possible without reference to its origins in England in 1835 when a Church of England clergyman, The Rev’d John Ashley. He began a ministry of visitation to the ships awaiting departure in Bristol Channel noticing that sailors were without spiritual guidance and counselling while at sea. His dedicated work saw others carry on this ministry through out the nineteenth century and the formation of Mission to Seamen Afloat, at home and abroad in 1856. Two years later, in 1858 the various ministries came together under the title of The Mission to Seaman, inspired by a verse from the book of Revelation. Ch14 Verse 6

During the course of the nineteenth century, the Mission grew throughout the UK, Canada, Europe and South-east Asia. The society also concerned itself with the physical, as swell as the spiritual, well being of the crews. This has continued to today as the Mission has continued its growth, now being represented in about 300 ports around the world.

With a changing workforce, the Mission to Seaman, in April 200, changed its name to The Mission to Seafarers.

In the new millennium, the ministry continues spreading its care for the seafarers into new ports and countries, welcoming all men and women who work upon the seas with the love of God in Christ.

The work of the Mission to Seafarers in Australia was established in the nineteenth century in the major ports, spreading to other parts of the country in the early decades of the twentieth century. Some centres were set up by other missionary organisations, the Roman Catholics Apostleship of the Sea, the British Sailors’ Society with their own structures, but the Mission to Seafarers station were organised by Central Office based in London.

Around Australia, there are 22 stations at which the Mission serves our international visitors. Some linked with our sister organisation, the Apostleship of the Sea, on or tow exist in name only, but the centres are worked by dedicated and energetic chaplains, staff and volunteers.

As autonomous stations, each centre has grown quite independently and it is only in recent years that the Central Office in London has given power to the Australian Council to develop an ‘Australian identity’.

Since the events of 2002, world-wide Port security issues have caused great debate and consternation among both seafarers and maritime organisations. Implications for crews and port authorities and therefore, welfare organisations such as the Mission, continue to mount with issues of international terrorism, piracy and industrial maritime relations.

Australian Mission stations have been called upon for assistance over the last century for a myriad of reasons – from entertaining crews during the Second World War while on leave, to visiting crew members in prison on charge of manslaughter or drug smuggling.

The stations differ in location, size, organisation, structure and personnel. The only thing that keeps us together is the ethos of the Mission.

We now have a working Australian Council that meets bi-annually around the country to discuss and resolve issues. Stations are invited to add agenda items to the meetings and all stations and Central Office receive copies of the minutes of the meetings. The Mission’s Australian web site is maintained by the Council and updated after these meetings.

The Mission stations have an opportunity, now bi-annually to discuss mutual problems, to share fellowship and compare stories. These conferences are appreciated by delegates many of whom live in distant parts of the country.

The early years in Australia saw sailors arriving in the colonial ports and it was in these growing towns that the first clubs were established in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and later Brisbane. The growth from penal settlements to cities occurred amidst agricultural and industrial development and the discovery of gold in colonies. As the ports grew so did the need for assistance to sailors. Port Melbourne’s first home was the Seaman’s Floating Church, moored on the Yarra River, 1858, the Church of England Diocese of Sydney Mission to Seaman in 1881 and the amalgamation of both in 1895.

In Queensland, three centres were established, firstly in Brisbane, then in Townsville in May 1927 and finally Gladstone. Some centres have a continuous ministry, while other stations have had chequered histories based on growing and declining shipping numbers, financial restraints and available missioners.

Mission in the ports of Western Australia began operating as the population exploration moved from the south east corner to the mining regions of the North West. Early stations were set up in Fremantle, the first major port in the West. The Port Hedland mission was opened in June 1971, with the club opening in September 1973, while Dampier mission began operations in 1978, opening its centre in May 1979.

The work of the Missions has not changed in essence since its beginnings in Australia. While the Australian Church and the Shipping Industry and Government acknowledge the importance of this important seafaring mission, they have had minimal input into financing its operations. The modernisation of the industry has meant great changes in shipping, but the needs of the crew remain the same – a place visit, a ‘home away from home’, a friendly face, a spiritual presence, a sympathetic ear. The Mission to Seafarers is still called upon to the share the hospitality of Christ among all people who visit our ports – to care for all who go ‘down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters’