A REDEDICATION of the Melbourne Mission to Seafarers has been marked with a gathering at the famous Flinders Street building.
Guests included Reverend Andrew Wright from the Mission to Seafarers in London, Melbourne Mission chair Neil Edwards.
The rededication marked a series of building upgrades that are either ongoing or have been completed.
Improvements have included a brand new timber floor and a snazzy new blue carpet.
Mission to Seafarers Victoria chief manager Sue Dight said the Victorian government paid for the upgrade to the tune of $2.5m.
The roof, guttering and drainage has been done as well as the floor and carpet.
“We also have works going on in the dome and then the re-rendering of the building as well,” Ms Dight said.
“They have already pulled everything off the back of the building… the rest of it will be completed by the end of February (2020).”
Among those attending the event were many volunteers from the smaller ports of Geelong, Hastings and Portland.
Reverend Wright, who led a short prayer service, said he was delighted to finally see “the famous Melbourne Mission”.
“On these occasions, I’m always asking one question: who is going to be the first person to spill a drink on the new carpet?” he said, earning a round of laughs.
The event preceded a busy month for the Melbourne Mission, with the annual Maritime Art Prize to be announced in early October.
Michael Butler and Cheka Sam 
Ross Brewer (l) and Ian Fletcher 
Sue Dight (l) and Alison Cusack 
Gavin Vallely (l) and Reverend Andrew Wright 
Cinda Manins (l) and Emer Divinity 
Andrew Ho and Yian Jia
