#australia

Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Fremantle, pennant number 203, was a patrol boat commissioned in 1980 as the lead ship of her class. She took the longest voyage made by a lone patrol vessel of her time, and she aided Australian efforts to curb illegal fishing and immigration over the 26 years of her career.

On January 26th, 1788, the British flag was raised for the first time on the coast of Australia, marking the establishment of the first colony on the continent. Each of the colonies celebrated its own foundation day throughout the 19th century, but at the beginning of the 20th century, Australia was united. In 1935, January 26th was chosen as the date of the main national holiday.