HMAS Fremantle (203) and HMAS Wollongong (206) Departure Day
This painting features the two Fremantle class patrol boats in the foreground (Fremantle (203 and Wollongong 206) with the larger vessel in the background being a Leeuwin class hydrographic survey ship and on the inner side of the jetty a Paluma class survey motor launch.
- About Don Braben
Don Braben is a Fellow, Foundation Member and a Vice President of the Australian Society of Marine Artists and has participated in all the exhibitions of the society. Don’s work has been exhibited solo at galleries in Australia, UK, Japan, France and New Caledonia. Group exhibitions include International Marine Art, at Mystic Seaport and RSMA UK.
After an art teaching career in several countries and on retirement from lecturing in art education at Griffith University, Don concentrated on marine subject matter. Some inspirational voyages were made as artist in residence aboard the CSIRO Research Vessel Franklin, the RAN Hydrographic Service HMAS Leeuwin and the Cape Grafton of AMSA which produced works for solo and group exhibitions featuring the ships and the crews at work. at galleries in Hobart, Wollongong and Brisbane.
Don’s paintings in watercolour and oils are in a number of government, commercial and private collections in many countries, many of which have been specially commissioned; other works include prints, book covers and illustrations.
- About HMAS Fremantle
HMAS Fremantle and its 14 fellow Fremantle Class Patrol Boats (FCPBs) were the principal contribution by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to Australia's fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations during the 1980s and 1990s.
Fremantle, the first of the class, was built in the United Kingdom, while the other 14 were built in Cairns. All of the Fremantle class patrol boats carried the names of former Bathurst class Australian Minesweepers (corvettes) that served during and after the Second World War.
More reading
- Additional resources for Don Braben
- Additional resources for HMAS Fremantle