News 2017 - 2018
AMWS Chairman inducted into the DCN's Australian Maritime Hall of Fame. Sydney: 23rd November 2018
As part of the 2018 annual DCN Australian Shipping & Maritime Awards recently held in Sydney, the AMWS Chairman, Captain Alan Tait OAM, was inducted into the Australian Maritime Hall of Fame. The award was given in recognition of Alan's more than six decades of service to the Australian maritime industry. Congratulations Alan from all your colleagues at AMWS. |
Trevor Howarth Scholarship recipient successfully completes voyage on STS Young Endeavour. Sydney: 10th November 2018
As a recipient of the Trevor Howarth Memorial Scholarship, jointly sponsored by AMWS and Sydney Cove Rotary, another Stepping Stone House resident, Lenor has successfully completed a voyage on the STS Young Endeavour. At the completion of her voyage, she said that "from this experience, I have found that I have more confidence in my ability to face new experiences and life challenges". Great feedback and well done! Lenor's complete report on her voyage experiences is available on page 3 of this Latest News Section. |
SEAFARERS LOST IN WAR REMEMBERED. Canberra: 21st October 2018.
The 29th Annual Commemoration service in Canberra honouring members of the Merchant Navy lost in war was held at the National Merchant Navy War Memorial in Kings Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin on 21 October. This event is organised by the Merchant Navy War Memorial Fund. Proceedings at the service were conducted by Sister Mary Leahy OAM, Stella Maris Chaplain, Port of Sydney, assisted by Mission to Seafarers Australia representatives Mr John Kewa and Rev. Tay Un. Attending the service were WW2 veterans, members of returned services organisations, also the War Widows Guild of Australia and the Diplomatic Corps along with seafarer support groups such as the Sydney Bethel Union and the Australian Mariners Welfare Society whose representatives all laid wreaths. The Address was delivered by Mr Collin Acton RAN, Principal Chaplain to the Navy. |
AMWS grants over last 12 years exceed $1.97 million. Sydney: 21st September 2018
Since 2006, AMWS has provided grants, donations, scholarships, project funding and welfare payments to maritime related charities, students and other recipients exceeding $1.97 million. The breakdown is as follows - projects 38%, seafarer welfare providers 41%, AOS / MTS computer support 11%, scholarships 7%, maritime related donations 3%. The AMWS Chairman Alan Tait today said that we are proud of not only what we have achieved but what we will be doing for the future. |
Merchant Navy Day. Sydney: 3rd September 2018
The Australian Mariners Welfare Society asks its readers to take a few moments of their time to think just how much Merchant Seafarers have done both in and out of Wars to help feed and defend us on vessels unequipped to fight back in what can be a cruel sea. Capt. Alan Tait, Chairman AMWS |
AMWS sponsor another student on STS One & All, Adelaide, August 2018
With AMWS sponsorship, Cameron recently completed a 5 day youth training voyage on board this South Australian based tall ship. On his return, Cameron said that "the opportunity to go on a ship like this was a whole new experience which I am extremely glad to have taken up". Well done Cameron. |
AMWS grants totalling $78,200 finalised & approved at August 2018 Council meeting.
At the recent AMWS Councillors meeting in Sydney, additional donations, grants, scholarships and sail training sponsorships to a total value of $78,200 were approved for payment to recognised Australian based maritime charities and tall ship organisations. These new payments take the annual AMWS seafarer welfare contributions to over $118,500 year to date. AMWS Chairman Captain Alan Tait said that he was delighted that the Society was so actively involved in providing for the needs of seafarers. |
Annual General Meeting: Sydney May 2018 The Australian Mariners Welfare Society (AMWS) Annual General Meeting in May 2018 noted that since 2006, a total of $1,250,000 in cash grants and scholarships had been provided to various seafarer welfare organisations and maritime training colleges across Australia. Get involved. Consider becoming an AMWS member. The Membership Application Form is available on the Membership page on this website. |
Young Endeavour, Sydney: 26th April 2018
With Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Commander Australian Fleet on board supporting proceedings, the AMWS and Sydney Cove Rotary sponsored Stepping Stone House trainee, Patrick was presented with his Voyage Certificate today by the vessels Captain LCDR Mike Gough. Supporting Patrick in the photo at left are one of his on board navy mentors and Jason Juretic from SSH. Congratulations Patrick, great effort and well done. Sydney Wooden Boat Show Cockle Bay: April 2018
The Chairman, Alan Tait, recently attended a function on board the RAN sail training vessel "Young Endeavour" at Cockle Bay Sydney. The function was held on the ship in support of the 2018 wooden ship expo. On board, Alan was pleased to meet a fellow guest, Captain Sarah Parry. Sarah is Master of the Tasmanian based sail training vessel "Windeward Bound". Captain Parry in most recent times received the prestigious International Sail Trainer of the Year Award for 2017. AMWS has awarded 4 sail training scholarships through the Tasmanian scheme to date! Australian Maritime College: March 2018 The Australian Mariners Welfare Society is please to announce the granting of 2 new scholarships for students studying at AMC. John intends to use this financial support to help him complete his Batchelor of Applied Science (Nautical Studies). Mathew intends to use his grant to help him complete his Master of Marine Engineering. AMWS wishes both successful applicants every success with their ongoing studies. |
STV Leeuwin: February 2018
Shawn has just completed his AMWS sponsored sailing experience on the Fremantle based STS Leeuwin. Further photos of his trip can be seen on the AMWS Facebook page. A copy of Shawn's excellent voyage report can be accessed via the Latest News linked page that follows Well done Shawn. STS Windeward Bound: January 2018 Charlie, supported by the Australian Mariners Welfare Society, began his voyage on the STS Windeward Bound in Hobart yesterday. After completing ESS and marine radio training at school last year, Charlie's parents said he was very exited to begin his voyage. RAN Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour: December 2017 Photo 1: AMWS is delighted to introduce Jack. Jack has just been awarded his Achievement Certificate by Captain Mike after completion of a 10 day voyage on the RAN Sail Training Ship "Young Endeavour". Photo 2: The AMWS Chairman, Captain Alan Tait, attended the presentation on board Young Endeavour as a representative of both AMWS and Sydney Cove Rotary. Both of these organisations provided Jack's sponsorship for the voyage through the Trevor Haworth Memorial Scholarship programme. Captain Haworth, former Owner of Captain Cook Cruises, was a member and very strong supporter of both organisations before passing away in 2014. Jack can be proud of his achievements on board "Young Endeavour". AMWS confirms a further sailing scholarship on STS Windeward Bound: November 2017
The Australian Mariners Welfare Society (AMWS) Scholarship Committee has approved a further sailing scholarship on the Tasmanian based sail training ship "Windeward Bound". The successful candidate and high school student, Charlie will undertake his voyage in January 2018 AMWS confirms STS Leeuwin Scholarship: November 2017 The Australian Mariners Welfare Society has confirmed with the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation that it will join other sponsors supporting scholarships on board the STS Leeuwin. Shawn, AMWS's first recipient, will shortly be benefiting from this direct support. AMWS Chairman attends Australian Seafarers Welfare Council: October 2017
The Australian Mariners Welfare Society is a member of the Australian Seafarers Welfare Council set up to meet the Maritime Labour Convention 2016 to which Australia is a signatory. On the 23rd October 2017 Captain Alan Tait (Chairman AMWS) attended it’s quarterly meeting in Fremantle at which time the Chairman of that Ports Welfare Committee Reza Vind gave a presentation on its work. It is very pleasing to know they have a very active Committee . Seafarer’s can be well satisfied their interests are not forgotten AMWS Scholarships Confirmed Sydney, September 2017 Working with the University of Tasmania Scholarship Advancement Coordinator, AMWS regularly provides a number of scholarships to students studying various marine related courses at the Australian Maritime College. Three new second semester 2017 scholarships have just been offered and accepted by students at AMC. The AMWS Council wished these students every success with their ongoing studies. AMWS AMWS Certificate of Appreciation presented. Sydney August 2017: AMWS Chairman Captain Alan Tait and Deputy Chairman Mr Graham Lightfoot present an AMWS Certificate of Appreciation to Dr Liz Vallins. Liz provided the initial expertise and assistance in developing the new AMWS webpage. Chairman's presentation to MTS annual conference Portland, Victoria. August 2017 AMWS Chairman Captain Alan Tait speaking at the Mission to Seafarers Australia bi-annual conference. Alan gave a presentation on the current activities of the Australian Mariners Welfare Society. AMWS sponsored "tall ship" trainees Tasmania June 2017 AMWS sponsored trainees Johnny, Georgia and Emily on board the Sail Training Vessel Windeward Bound. AMWS sponsored "tall ship" trainees Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, June 2017 Trainees learning the ropes on board Windeward Bound. AMWS sponsored "tall ship" trainee Tasmania, May 2017 Trainee Emily receives her AMWS Scholarship Certificate from the Chief Officer, Windeward Bound AMWS Certificate of Appreciation presented Sydney May 2017 AMWS Chairman, Captain Alan Tait presents an AMWS Certificate of Appreciation to Lynn and John Illingsworth. Lynn and John filmed and donated the fabulous footage of Barrenjoey Lighthouse that now form the background views on the new AMWS webpage |