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Lieutenant Commander Andrew Maher take up their ceremonial positions besides ARMIDALE: Darwin 24 June 2005
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Maher take up their ceremonial positions besides ARMIDALE: Darwin 24 June 2005

Lieutenant Commander Andrew Maher take up their ceremonial positions besides ARMIDALE: Darwin 24 June 2005

Artist (Australian, born 1954)
Date2005
Object number00039800
NamePainting
MediumPaper, watercolours, ink
DimensionsOverall: 560 x 770 mm
Copyright© Robert McRae
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionLieutenant Commander Andrew Maher and attending naval personnel are depicted marching next to HMAS ARMIDALE just prior to its official commissioning ceremony in Darwin on 24 June 2005. To the left of ARMIDALE, HMAS GAWLER can be seen flying the Australian flag and numerous celebratory flags. Naval artist Robert McRae produced a series of paintings for the Royal Australian Navy depicting the event at HMAS COONAWARRA, Darwin's naval base.HistoryNaval artist Robert (Bob) McRae has been portraying naval ships since 1999 and has been invited by the Royal Australian Navy to represent their ships a number of times. HMAS ARMIDALE is the lead ship of the Armidale class patrol boats of the Royal Australian Navy. It underwent its official commissioning ceremony on 24 June 2005 at Darwin, Australia under the Commanding Officer LCDR Andrew Maher. HMAS ARMIDALE's (II) primary purpose is for surveillance, interception, investigation and the apprehension of vessels infringing Australian fishing, quarantine, customs and immigration laws. The ship's crest consists of a tower on a mount taken from the crest of the Coat of Arms of the City of Armidale. The ship's motto 'Stand Firm' is a symbol of the strength and stature of the city of Armidale and the ship itself. ARMIDALE's commissioning ceremony marked the introduction of 14 new Armidale class patrol boats to the RAN, replacing the older Fremantle class patrol boats. The vessels were built at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia in 2004. ARMIDALE received its name from the first HMAS ARMIDALE - a Bathurst class corvette (minesweeper) which was lost to Japanese torpedoes near Timor on 1 December 1942. In November 2008 ARMIDALE played a key role in the commemoration service for HMAS ARMIDALE (I) at Timor.SignificanceThis watercolour by Australian naval artist Robert McRae provides an insight into the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) commissioning ceremony of HMAS ARMIDALE in 2005. Commissioning ceremonies are a centuries-old tradition of the navy and the first step in a navy ship's career.