SNCHAP Burton presents a cheque for $1000 to Mrs Lock and Pastor Scott at No 64. Picture ABPH Phillip Hunt.

Sailors from two navies are continuing their links with "No 64", a Kings Cross drop-in centre in Sydney for the district's street prostitutes.

But they are doing it in the nicest ways.

Firstly sailors from the visiting aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION painted the two storey tenement in Sydney's Woolloomooloo. Later the RAN chaplains drew $1000 from the Garden Island Chapel Fund to provide carpet and office equipment for the vital facility.

The centre operates under the umbrella of Baptist Inner City Ministries and its Inner City
Minister, Pastor Colin Scott.

Its full time supervisor is Mrs Ann Lock, a mother of three and wife of CHAP Garry Lock of the RAN Chaplaincy Service.

Although founded five years ago the centre is being re-invigorated by Mrs Lock knowing that Kings Cross has between 150 and 200 women working as street sex workers.

"We are open between from 1pm to 5pm week days," Mrs Lock said.

"We also work in the evenings walking through Kings Cross talking to the girls, handing out our cards and offering help.

"The cards tell them the centre is a safe place for women involved in the sex industry.

"It is a place to relax, have a coffee and a chat.

"We have a washing machine, dryer, shower and needle exchange.

"We can help them with clothing, food, medical services and emergency accommodation.

"We have access to a six bed house in Surry Hills," she said.

SNCHAP Eric Burton was on hand to present a $1000 cheque for carpet and equipment to Mrs Lock and Pastor Scott.

By Graham Davis