World Cricket Star Praises Wharfie Tsunami Fundraiser

Sri Lankan celebrity cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan braved heavy storms that shook Melbourne on February 3 to thank MUA members at Patrick, East Swanson, for collecting $170,000 in clothing and goods for tsunami victims in his homeland.

The world-class spin bowler and member of the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club made the stopover on the wharves after learning of the joint union/company effort led by MUA yard foreman Graeme 'Havachat' Bailey via the local Sri Lankan community.

"He told me how much he appreciated what we were doing," said Graeme. "He was especially pleased we were getting fishing nets and gear together. That's what they need more than anything. That's their livelihood."

Graeme took Muttiah onto the wharf to show him what people had been donating.

"What's coming through is amazing," he said. "People are buying a lot of stuff and giving it to me. The guys at work spread the word through churches and their kids' schools. Patrick are getting us the containers and free shipments as well as donating clothing and other goods. So it's not just coming from maritime workers but the company and charity groups like the Oaktree Foundation, Holy Saviour Parish in Glen Waverly, St Vinnies, professional fishermen and business."

Graeme and his MUA helpers are getting together everything from new clothing, hospital beds, safety boots, saucepans, leather gloves, push bikes, biros, school books, fish hooks, T shirts, toothpaste and toys.

In Portland and Westernport local MUA port secretaries are organising fishing gear. Donations all come with price tags or estimated costs for the shipping manifests.

"We're just trying to do whatever we can to help," said Graeme. "I'm going all the time. Seven days a week. At work we're packing things every spare minute we've got. As soon as I get home my phone and email doesn't stop. We're doing something every day for the appeal. I reckon we've now got enough stuff to fill seven 20-foot containers.

The first container of goods left for Singapore on MISC liner vessel Theodor Storm on February 12 before being transhipped to Colombo. The shipment is free courtesy of Mitsui. Patrick Stevedores are covering stevedoring and labour costs.