Dedicated Albany Mission to Seafarers volunteers step away after decades of helping the ‘forgotten people’

After more than 30 years of volunteering with the Albany Mission to Seafarers, Jane and Norm Stevens have stepped away from their prominent role within the organisation. The couple’s long-time contribution was recognised at the Albany mission’s annual meeting on Monday where they were presented with a certificate of appreciation for their dedication and commitment. Regional director Sue Dight said volunteers like Jane and Norm were the life and soul of missions all over the world. “For 150 years people like Jane and Norm have given up their time and energy to care for those that make short visits to our towns,” she said. Mr Stevens spent many of his years with the mission in the role of ship visitor. The role would see him board ships to talk to the crew, then take them shopping, touring Albany or helping in any way he could. During the height of COVID restrictions, he was one of the only people able to board ships and would do a lot of essential shopping trips. “It’s another face that the seafarers get to see other than the same people they’ve been having breakfast, lunch and dinner with,” Ms Dight said. “And it’s someone else they can share their troubles with. “It’s someone that can deliver some wi-fi or a phone card so they can connect with home, it’s someone who can take them to a doctor or dentist, who can hold their hand if need be.” Ms Stevens also played a vital role within the mission, having previously served as chair within the organisation which has aimed to provide comfort to seafarers when they come into Albany’s port since 1965. She previously told the Advertiser the crews on ships could often be referred to as “forgotten people” because Australia could not function without the service they provide bringing 90 per cent of the country’s imports by sea. Ms Dight said the Stevens had done so much for the mission over their time that it had been a detriment to their own business. “That’s how much they loved the seafarers and caring for them,” she said.