HMAS TOWNSVILLE Leaving Jervis Bay During Operation Ocean Protector

Artist Robert McRae (Australian, born 1954)

Date2006

Object number00040495

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour, paper, pencil

Dimensions560 x 760 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

Ship portraits

Terms

DescriptionHMAS TOWNSVILLE is shown leaving Jervis Bay during Exercise Ocean Protector. The annual operation brings together naval and air force units from Australia and New Zealand to test their war-fighting skills. In 2006 the artist Robert McRae was invited by the Royal Australian Navy to record the participation of HMAS TOWNSVILLE in the event.HistoryExercise Ocean Protector is an annual combined maritime exercise and brings together naval and air force units from Australia and New Zealand. They conduct a range of training activities off the east Australian coast to develop and test maritime fighting skills. HMAS TOWNSVILLE - a Fremantle class patrol boat - was one of the RAN ships involved in the joint exercise in February 2006. The artist Robert (Bob) McRae was invited on board by the Royal Australian Navy to record the ship's activities during the exercise. He has been portraying naval ships since 1999 and is now represented in the Australian War Memorial and ANMM among other galleries and museums including the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Port Kembla Port Authority Collection, Darwin Port Authority Collection and has also illustrated a number of books. SignificanceThis painting by naval artist Robert McRae portrays an important training and development event in the calendar of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Artworks such as this allow us a glimpse into the activities of the modern RAN.