The open day on December 4 was an opportunity to showcase the work of the centre and staff.
Representatives from the Aoraki Foundation, Volunteering Mid-South Canterbury, Multicultural Aoraki, St Mary’s Church and the Temuka Baptist Church were all present.
Rev Lance Lukin, the regional director for The Mission to Seafarers, was also at the open day.
Speaking at the open day, he said the centre in Timaru was a testament to the incredible work of the local committee, chaired by John Blunden.
"John and his team have worked tirelessly to create an amazing centre. What they need now is people from the community to catch the vision of the work that they do in order to raise the number of volunteers and gain additional donations, in order to keep the centre operational."
Earlier this year, to aid with funding, the centre established the South Canterbury Seafarers Welfare Fund in partnership with the Aoraki Foundation.
Because the centre relies on grants and donations, the establishment of the fund was a way of trying to build up reserves for ongoing operations of the centre.
Seafarers centres like the Timaru Seafarers Welfare Centre provide visiting seafarers with a friendly welcome, a place to get some rest and recreation, and information and support.
They also provide pastoral care and advocacy for seafarers facing difficult circumstances or breaches of their rights and each centre has trained staff who are proficient in understanding the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and the rights of seafarers.
Anyone interested in supporting the centre, as a volunteer or by way of a donation, can contact John Blunden on 027470-0000.
— Allied Media
