HMAS Sydney departing Albany in Escort of Convoy on 1 November 1914
From the DVA Anzac Portal ‘Following the outbreak of World War 1 the Australian Government formed the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) within 2 weeks. Thousands of men volunteered to enlist in the AIF and received basic military training in their home state. Over 21,000 men, as well as medical staff, horses and supplies, sailed from Australia in a convoy of ships in November 1914. They were destined for Europe, but events unfolded as they sailed that would change their fate. The first contingent of soldiers destined for the war in Europe left Western Australia on 1 November 1914 in a convoy of 38 Australian transports or troopships.’ HMAS Sydney was one of the escorts.
- About Stan Stefaniak
Stan was born in Sydney in 1954 and now resides in Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains. Stan’s passion for painting maritime scenes stems from a lifelong interest in shipping. In the 1960s and early 1970s he remembers visiting the port of Sydney after school and observing shipping activities with vessels belonging to numerous companies and countries of registry.
From a very early age Stan developed a love of drawing and painting but it was his love of ships that inspired him to paint maritime subjects. Stan’s enrolment in art classes at the Ross Davis painting studio in Sydney for a few years developed his understanding of the use of colour in painting.
Over the years Stan has had the opportunity to take sea voyages all over the world – all providing further inspiration for painting. These aspects, a keen observation of ship design and careful research into actual shipping events, guide Stan in faithfully executing his painting of ships.
Stan paints mainly in oils and paints all manner of vessels including current cruise ships that provide opportunities to depict the continual innovations in naval architecture.
Several of Stan’s paintings have been used to illustrate covers for books about Australian and New Zealand shipping, written by the well-known maritime historian Peter Plowman. His paintings are included in private collections in Australia and the United Kingdom, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line International, and have been displayed on a long term basis at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Stan is an Associate Member of the Royal Art Society of NSW and Fellow and former President of the Australian Society of Marine Artists.
- About HMAS Sydney (l)
HMAS Sydney was a Town Class, Light Cruiser; one of three ordered in 1910 which were part of the initial Australian fleet unit. On 4 October 1913 Sydney formed part of the Australian Fleet Unit that ceremonially entered her namesake harbour to a welcome from tens of thousands of spectators who turned out to welcome the arrival of ‘their’ fleet.
More reading
- Additional resources for Stan Stefaniak
- Additional resources for HMAS Sydney (l)
HMAS Sydney Leaving Sydney
HMAS Sydney 1915
HMAS Sydney in its fight with a Zeppelin in the North Sea
The Sinking of the German Cruiser Emden by HMAS Sydney 9th Nov 1914
HMAS Sydney Engaging the German Cruiser SMS Emden, Off Cocos Island, Indian Ocean
HMAS Sydney Accounts for the Emden
HMAS Sydney fighting the SMS Emden
