Timeline
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Oct 28, 1955 | into RAN as HMAS Melbourne, deck letter B |
| Apr 1956 | departed UK for transit to Australia (deck letter Y). Arrived 10 May 1956 escorted by HMAS Sydney |
| Sep 21, 1956 | departed Australia for S E Asia exercises. Group included HMAS Sydney, HMAS Quadrant, HMAS Queenborough and HMAS Quickmatch. Only time HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney ever deployed together. |
| Dec 4, 1957 | Sycamore HR.51 XD656 ditched in sea, while operating from HMAS Melbourne. Accident |
| Apr 1961 | during late Apr, hosted RN 825 NAS Whirlwind HAS.7 during an amphibious landing exercise off northern Borneo, supporting RM 42 Commando from HMS Bulwark and US Marines from USS Thetis Bay. |
| Apr 20, 1963 | embarked RN 814 NAS Wessex HAS.1 (usually based aboard HMS Hermes) for 3 weeks during spring 1963. Konfrontasi |
| Aug 1963 | embarked anti-submarine force was the Wessex 31 of 817 Sq, until Feb 1976. |
| Mar 15, 1965 | Exercising off Singapore in multi-national Naval Force Exercise FOTEX 65 Exercise FOTEX 65 |
| 1967 | mid life refit until 1969, to re-equip for operating US components of her air wing |
| Jun 3, 1969 | South China Sea (JS) 3 Jun1969, collided with the USS Frank E Evans, whilst participating in the SEATO Exercise Sea Spirit Accident |
| 1972 | From 1972, the usual 10 Wessex HAS.31 were replaced by 10 Sea King Mk.50 in her air group. |
| Dec 31, 1974 | Darwin Intl Departed Sydney on news of cyclone hitting Darwin. Arrived on station 31 Dec 1974 with most of HS-817 embarked and remained active until 30 Jan 1975. Darwin area Cyclone Tracy relief operations |
| Feb 1976 | embarked anti-submarine force was the Sea King 50 of 817 Sq, until Nov 1981. |
| May 9, 1977 | Sea King 08 accident |
| Jun 25, 1977 | in UK waters for Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, off Spithead Fleet Review: Silver Jubilee of HM The Queen |
| Jun 1982 | |
| Nov 1983 |