Shining light on the mission’s past

By Sean Car

The Mission to Seafarers is currently presenting an exhibition celebrating 150 years of operation in Victoria at the World Trade Centre’s Atrium Gallery.

The Reflections of the Sea exhibit showcases a selection of stained glass windows from the mission’s historic chapel in Docklands alongside a range of historic photographs.

The exhibition, which runs until July 5, shares the stories of the people and events that have helped shape the mission.

Georgia Melville, exhibition curator and mission historian, said gallery goers had received the exhibit positively so far.

“The response has been very positive, with everyone who has visited the exhibition learning something new,” she said.

Together with volunteering co-curator Catherine McLay and a host of other dedicated volunteers, Ms Melville said that curating this collection had been a secondary role in helping raise awareness of the mission’s work.

“The heritage collection held by the mission provides evidence of the amazing social history of this place,” she said.

“It helps tell the stories of the mission to provide greater awareness amongst the general public of the work done here. Pulling together this exhibition has reinforced this great work and also brought to light some new stories.”

Mission CEO Andrea Fleming said the stained glass windows were a tribute to the many dedicated people who had contributed to the mission during its existence.

“I guess we take for granted that the windows are actually there and we look at them for their beauty and for their age but they all have a story and those stories have been revealed partly in this exhibition,” she said.

“It predominantly brings to light the important role that ministry played and that the chapel played in the lives of seafarers and still does today.”

The Mission to Seafarers is a global organisation and operates in 240 ports and continues to provide support to 1.3 million seafarers around the world.

For more information on the exhibition and the mission visit http://www.missiontoseafarers.com.au