The Philippine Consulate General on 11 March 2023 hosted a special event for the members of the Filipino media in Victoria at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria (MtSV). The event aimed to promote the work done by MtSV and to strengthen relationships between the Filipino community, media, and MtSV. Ambassador Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega was the event’s special guest.
Tour of the areas and sit-down dinner
The event included a Heritage Tour of the iconic MtSV building and a sit-down dinner. Before the tour, attendees had the chance to enjoy pre-dinner drinks, allowing guests to mingle and network before the sit-down dinner.
The Heritage Tour, led by MtSV events manager and tour guide Daria Wray, presented the history and services provided by their organisation. She then took the guests to different areas of the building, starting from the Main Hall, passing through the Celia Little Room to the historic chapel. Ambassador De La Vega even had the privilege of sounding the bell seven times. The guests proceeded to the adjoining sunbathed courtyard full of rustic charm and the magnificent Norla Dome before passing through a private beer garden close to the bar within the Main Hall.
Encounter with Filipino seafarers
Visiting Filipino seafarers at the venue had a rare opportunity to talk to some members of the media and consular officials before and after the heritage tour. This interaction allowed for a meaningful exchange of experiences and perspectives. One of the visiting seafarers was engine cadet Mariam Visande Edris, the only female seafarer on her ship and just one of the less than two per cent of female seafarers worldwide. The group even had group pictures taken to commemorate the occasion.
Services provided by MtSV
MtSV is a non-governmental entity that provides spiritual and practical support to seafarers visiting the Port of Melbourne. According to MtSV, around 11,000 seafarers visit the Port of Melbourne on average each year, 61% of them Filipinos. The club provides essential services to seafarers, such as transportation, communications, local information and referrals, personal supplies, recreational activities, foreign exchange, phone card sales, poste restante (online shopping and mail) and pastoral care. Volunteers and the MtSV Chaplain carry out these visits.
Venue for hire as fundraising strategy
To help continue serving the needs of seafarers, one of the sources of funds of the MtSV is providing a venue for hire, offering the perfect venue for events of all styles and sizes. The club has a courtyard, beer garden, private balcony, chapel, the Norla Dome, the large Main Hall, and the Celia Little Room for dining. Event organisers can hire the different areas separately. Not-for-profit organisations and emerging artists receive a 20% discount on venue hire rates.
Overall, the heritage tour and dinner provided a wonderful opportunity for guests to appreciate the seafaring industry and learn about the critical support provided by Mission to Seafarers Victoria. The event also facilitated a meaningful exchange between the visiting seafarers and attendees.
