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Image Not Available for HMAS CANBERRA medallion
HMAS CANBERRA medallion
Image Not Available for HMAS CANBERRA medallion

HMAS CANBERRA medallion

Date1981
Object number00044566
NameMedallion
MediumMetal
DimensionsOverall: 40 x 40 mm
ClassificationsCoins and medals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis medallion was made to commemorate the commissioning of HMAS CANBERRA III, launched on 1 December 1978 and commissioned on 21 March 1981. The medallion features an embossed image of the ship alongside its naval badge. CANBERRA's role in cooperation with other maritime forces was to help keep the world's sea lanes open and provide protection for military and merchant convoys. After 24 years in service the ship was decommissioned on 12 November 2005.HistoryHMAS CANBERRA (III) was a long range escort frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) that undertook many roles including area air-defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. It was the third vessel to bear the name, with the original being a RAN Kent class heavy cruiser which served from 1928 until sunk at the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. The second was a United States Baltimore Class Navy Heavy Cruiser, USS CANBERRA, named in honour of the first ship. USS CANBERRA is the only US Navy ship so far to be named for a capital city outside the United States of America. HMAS CANBERRA was built for the RAN by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corporation's Seattle Division, along with five sister frigates, HMA Ships ADELAIDE, SYDNEY, DARWIN, MELBOURNE, and NEWCASTLE. They were the first RAN ships to be powered by gas turbines for their main propulsion. HMAS CANBERRA was launched on 1 December 1978 and commissioned on 21 March 1981. CANBERRA's role was to operate with other maritime forces to help keep the world's sea lanes open and free and to provide protection for military and merchant convoys. The ship's motto is 'For Queen and Country' which is an abbreviation of the first HMAS CANBERRA's motto 'Pro Rege et Lege et Grece', translated from the Latin as 'For the King, the Law and the People'. HMAS CANBERRA participated in numerous operations, including Operation DAMASK following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait between November 1992 and March 1993, Operation BRANCARD to evacuate Australian nationals from Jakarta in May 1998, and Operation SLIPPER as part of the international coalition against terrorism between March and July 2002. The vessel was decommissioned at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia on 12 November 2005. In 2006, the Victorian Artificial Reef Society began its campaign to sink the ex-HMAS CANBERRA off Victoria as an artificial wreck dive site.SignificanceThis medallion highlights an important vessel of the Royal Australian Navy that was only recently decommissioned. It demonstrates the practice of commemorating naval ships.