MISSION to Seafarers Newcastle will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year and will mark the occasion with a gala dinner.
The Gala Fundraising Dinner at the heritage-listed Newcastle City Hall will be held on 1 September, featuring a three-course dinner, drinks and live music.
Reverend Canon Garry Dodd, senior chaplain at the Newcastle mission centre, said changes the maritime industry saw during the pandemic were among hundreds of significant events that shaped the port and the Mission to Seafarers in Newcastle over the years.
“In its 150-year history, the mission as a NFP charity has continued to redefine itself to meet the needs of seafarers,” Rev Canon Dodd wrote.
“Once, vessels would berth along Throsby Creek for weeks at a time and seafarers would come to the mission for dances and to post letters back home.
“Today, seafarers face short turnaround times and vastly different emotional needs.”
MtS Newcastle has invited industry, organisations and individuals to book tickets for the gala dinner and sign up for sponsorship packages to help create a memorable night.
“We are always grateful for the generosity of those organisations who reach out, enabling us to serve the 60,000 seafarers who currently enter Newcastle annually,” Rev Canon Dodd said.
“The gala dinner, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the mission, is an opportunity to have the entire industry come together, say thank you, and to look towards a financially secure future ahead.
“We humbly ask that you please consider supporting the mission as a sponsor. However, any support is gratefully appreciated.”
The gala dinner will commence at 1900 on 1 September at Newcastle City Hall. More information and tickets are available here.
