The auxiliary minesweeper HMAS GOOLGWAI, was commissioned. GOOLGWAI was laid down in Collingwood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Ontario, Canada. She was requisitioned for the RAN, from her owners Red Funnel Trawlers Ltd, on 3 September 1939.
The auxiliary minesweeper HMAS KOROWA, was commissioned. KOROWA, (as EDWARD MCGUIRE), was laid down in Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby, England, in 1919. She was requisitioned for the RAN, from her owners, Red Funnel Trawlers Ltd, (who renamed her KORAWA), in September 1939.
The auxiliary minesweeper HMAS OLIVE CAM, was commissioned. OLIVE CAM, (as NODZU), was laid down in Wales, in 1919. She was requisitioned for the RAN, from her owners, Cam & Sons Pty Ltd, Sydney, (who renamed her OLIVE CAM), in September 1939.
The Australian Government agreed to the detachment of 2 cruisers and 5 destroyers of the RAN for service abroad. A proviso in the agreement stipulated that the ships were to be returned if a threat in the Far East developed.
The armed merchant cruiser/landing ship infantry HMS KANIMBLA, (CAPT F. E. Getting, RAN), was commissioned. KANIMBLA was laid down in Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast, Northern Ireland, for McIlwraith McEacharn Ltd of Melbourne, and launched on 15 December 1935. KANIMBLA was requisitioned for the RN on 5 September 1939, and fitted out at Garden Island Dockyard, Sydney. The ship was manned largely by Australian reservists.