The Mission To Seafarers can be traced back to 1837 when the Rev John Ashley established the Bristol Channel Mission. From Rev John Ashley’s early work the Mission to Seafarers has grown to be the leading global seafarers welfare society. In 1892 Mrs Amy Proctor commenced the first Mission to Seafarers welfare activities in the Port of Brisbane, initially operating from her home and church halls. In 1915 the first proper Brisbane Mission Centre was opened at Petrie Bight.
Subsequently, there were two Seafarers’ Centres in operation – at Hamilton on the northside and at Fishermans Island.
In the 1980’s, the service contracted to the southside when the Hamilton area was marked for redevelopment.
On 23rd August 2017, there was a celebration of 125 years of the life of the Mission to Seafarers Brisbane, held at the Seafarers’ Centre, Fishermans Island, Port of Brisbane.
In 2018, MTS Brisbane Seafarers’ Centre received the prestigious ASWAN Award as Seafarers’ Centre of the Year.