Historical information
Collected by Lisa Gervasoni when she visited the ship as part of the City of Ballarat's delegation to the ship on the 9th December 2006. HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The frigate was laid down in 2000 and commissioned into the RAN in mid-2004. Since entering service, Ballarat has been involved in border protection as part of Operation Relex II, was deployed to the Gulf for Operation Catalyst, and was one of the two ships involved in the Operation Northern Trident 2009 round-the-world voyage. Ballarat has undergone the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade, completing in 2015. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Ballarat_(FFH_155)
Physical description
Navy blue cap of heavy brushed cotton with the Navy Ceremonial badge on the left side which refers to the events of the Eureka Stockade (Ballarat, 1854) and is embroidered in white.. Hook-and-loop adjustment at the back. On the front of the cap the words HMAS Ballarat & FFH-155 are embroidered in gold and an embroidered representation of the ship is in white. Stamped into the brim is the word Navy and the Royal Australian Navy Emblem.
Inscriptions & markings
On the outside of the cap - HMAS Ballarat FFH-155, Navy, Defend the Flag
Inside label - Oakwood (03) 97986278