Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)


Port Welfare Committees

A PWC consists of regional or State representatives from welfare providers, industry, government and unions, with a common goal of providing quality onshore seafarer welfare facilities in their port.  

While there are many similarities, each port is different in the way it operates and caters for the welfare of international seafarers. The PWC will work together to discuss and resolve seafarer welfare issues at the respective ports. 
 
ASWC organises a joint PWC forum on an annual basis, providing all PWCs and ASWC members the opportunity to share experiences and provide advice on seafarer welfare matters. 

Port Welfare Committees by State

Currently there are 18 PWCs located at various Australian ports.  

NSW

Newcastle

Chair: Vikas Bangia 
Email: vbangia@portauthoritynsw.com.au
Vice Chair: Greg Collinson
Email: greg.collinson@amsa.gov.au

Sydney 

Chair: Shane Hobday
Email: shanehobday1@gmail.com

NT

Darwin 

Darwin Port Welfare Committee

QLD

Brisbane 

Chair: Ross Nicholls
Email: rkandvg@gmail.com
Deputy Chair: Sarah Maguire
Email: sarah.maguire@mua.org.au

Gladstone 

Chair: John Fallon
Email: john.a.fallon@msq.qld.gov.au

Mackay/Haypoint 

Chair: Glen Howarth
Email: glen.howarth@amsa.gov.au

SA

Flinders/Adelaide 

Chair: Carl Kavina
Email: carl.kavina@fphgroup.com.au

TAS

Burnie 

Chair: Zachary Williams
Email: zachary.williams@tasports.com.au

Hobart 

Chair: Prudence Cunningham 
Email: prudence.cunningham@tasports.com.au

VIC

Geelong 

Chair: Dilip Abraham (Harbour Master)
Phone: 0439 635 912

Melbourne

Chair: Matt Purcell
Email: matt.purcell@mua.org.au

WA

Albany 

Chair: Paul McSweeney
paul.mcsweeney@southernports.com.au

Bunbury 

Chair: Darryl Cotton
Email: dean@bunburycathedral.org.au
Vice Chair: Lee Smith
Email: lee.smith@southernports.com.au

West Pilbara 

Chair: Mike Minogue
Email: mike.minogue@pilbaraports.com.au
Secretary: Sophie Dickson
Email: sophie.dickson@pilbaraports.com.au

Esperance 

Chair: Scott Bates
Email: scott.bates@southernports.com.au

Fremantle 

Chair: Savio Fernandes (Harbour Master)
Email: savio.fernandes@fremantleports.com.au
Vice Chair: Ian Bray, ITF
Email: bray_ian@itf.org.uk

Port Hedland 

Chair: Behrouz Daeizadeh (Harbour Master)
Email: behrouz.daeizadeh@pilbaraports.com.au 

Geraldton 

Chair: Sharad Kohli
Email: sharad.kohli@midwestports.com.au

Interested in setting up a Port Welfare Committee?  

Establishing a PWC comes down to finding the right representatives — it is essential to find those who support and understand seafarers needs and have knowledge of and connections in local ports. 

Contact us to express your interest.