Background
The Family Support Scheme is intended as an extension of its present activities which include provision of accommodation for retired seafarers, scholarships for those wishing to undertake studies at the Australian Maritime College, TAFE colleges etc. and also support of charities devoted to the well-being of mariners.
Intention of Fund
To provide financial support that supplements, but does not replace, government assistance for the children and families of seafarers within defined parameters. This is accomplished through a system of grants administered by the Society and supported by Honorary Agents, being the port representatives of The Mission to Seafarers and The Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris).
Grants
Annual Grant—given each year to disabled mariners or, if deceased, their widows, whose financial situation warrants regular assistance.
Immediate Grant—given to widows or children left in need following the death of a serving or retired mariner.
Special Grant—given at the discretion of the Society where circumstances are such that it is considered that the intentions of the charity are fulfilled.
There will be limits on the level of financial support that can be provided. Whilst the final figure will be flexible within the discretion of the Society, as a general guide annual grants will be capped at $5,000 per annum, immediate grants $500 per incident, and special grants $1,000 per incident.
General Guidelines
1. The scheme is intended to assist seafarers past and present employed in the Australian merchant marine on commercial seagoing vessels. Support will also be considered for families of professional fishermen past and present who worked or formerly worked on the Australian coast.
2. The spouse of a seafarer is defined as being the partner of a living, deceased, divorced or separated seafarer.
3. The child of a seafarer is the child of whom the seafarer is the natural father/mother, stepfather/stepmother, or common-law husband/ wife or partner of the natural mother/father of the child(ren).
4. Other relatives, should they be involved, would be defined as grandparents, aunts and uncles or brothers/sisters, of either the seafarer, spouse of the seafarer or children of the seafarer, who are bringing up the seafarer’s children.
5. There is no qualifying length of service required for acceptance to the scheme.
6. Birth certificates are required for each of the children included within an application, copies of which will be retained on file.
7. Proof of service must be confirmed by the Honorary Agent having a record of the seafarer’s discharge book where applicable.
8. It is anticipated that in the first instance contact will be through the Honorary Agents who will in their pastoral capacity evaluate the need, immediate and long term, and recommend to the Society the timing and quantum of support required.
9. It is essential it be understood that flexibility is the rule and this summary is intended only as a guide.
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For further information, please call the Society’s Secretariat, Sydney on telephone (02) 9605 1344
The Family Support Scheme is intended as an extension of its present activities which include provision of accommodation for retired seafarers, scholarships for those wishing to undertake studies at the Australian Maritime College, TAFE colleges etc. and also support of charities devoted to the well-being of mariners.
Intention of Fund
To provide financial support that supplements, but does not replace, government assistance for the children and families of seafarers within defined parameters. This is accomplished through a system of grants administered by the Society and supported by Honorary Agents, being the port representatives of The Mission to Seafarers and The Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris).
Grants
Annual Grant—given each year to disabled mariners or, if deceased, their widows, whose financial situation warrants regular assistance.
Immediate Grant—given to widows or children left in need following the death of a serving or retired mariner.
Special Grant—given at the discretion of the Society where circumstances are such that it is considered that the intentions of the charity are fulfilled.
There will be limits on the level of financial support that can be provided. Whilst the final figure will be flexible within the discretion of the Society, as a general guide annual grants will be capped at $5,000 per annum, immediate grants $500 per incident, and special grants $1,000 per incident.
General Guidelines
1. The scheme is intended to assist seafarers past and present employed in the Australian merchant marine on commercial seagoing vessels. Support will also be considered for families of professional fishermen past and present who worked or formerly worked on the Australian coast.
2. The spouse of a seafarer is defined as being the partner of a living, deceased, divorced or separated seafarer.
3. The child of a seafarer is the child of whom the seafarer is the natural father/mother, stepfather/stepmother, or common-law husband/ wife or partner of the natural mother/father of the child(ren).
4. Other relatives, should they be involved, would be defined as grandparents, aunts and uncles or brothers/sisters, of either the seafarer, spouse of the seafarer or children of the seafarer, who are bringing up the seafarer’s children.
5. There is no qualifying length of service required for acceptance to the scheme.
6. Birth certificates are required for each of the children included within an application, copies of which will be retained on file.
7. Proof of service must be confirmed by the Honorary Agent having a record of the seafarer’s discharge book where applicable.
8. It is anticipated that in the first instance contact will be through the Honorary Agents who will in their pastoral capacity evaluate the need, immediate and long term, and recommend to the Society the timing and quantum of support required.
9. It is essential it be understood that flexibility is the rule and this summary is intended only as a guide.
___________________
For further information, please call the Society’s Secretariat, Sydney on telephone (02) 9605 1344
