New chairman for mission

The former chairman of the Port of Melbourne Corporation as joined the Mission to Seafarers Victoria (MtSV) as its new chairman.

Neil Edwards stepped into the position following the resignation of Malcolm Reed after six years in the role.

Mr Edwards said he first became aware of the work of MtSV a decade ago while serving as chairman of the Port of Melbourne Corporation.

“The more I saw of the unremitting and lonely lives of contemporary seafarers and saw how brief are their opportunities to seek solace and practical support away from their vessels, the more I came to see the value of the active outreach welfare services MtSV provides,” Mr Edwards said.

“In fact, I’d say that services like ours are a duty owed to the people who make Melbourne the port upon which so much of our prosperity depends.”

Mr Edwards said it was a great honour to be appointed chairman of the MtSV and said the organisation had some huge tasks ahead of it.  

According to Mr Edwards, this includes broadening the mission’s reach and services to the diverse community of visiting seafarers, making the most of the mission’s heritage and raising funds for the restoration of its building.

“We need to modernise 717 (Flinders St) to improve the delivery of welfare and ministry services to seafarers, but we also need to keep 717 true to its unique architectural heritage, so that the people of Melbourne can enjoy the gem that it is for the next 100 years.”