[4][5] Gladstone was laid down by NQEA in Cairns, Queensland on 7 March 1983, launched on 28 July 1984, and commissioned into the RAN on 8 September 1984.

[8] Freedom of Entry to the patrol boat's namesake city was granted for the second time in July 2000.

[8] Gladstone was originally planned to decommission on 16 February 2007, but was deployed at the start of the month as part of Operation Resolute, to replace several Armidale-class patrol boats pulled from duty over safety concerns and water contamination of fuel systems.

[11] After sailing from Cairns to Gladstone, the patrol boat was formally presented to the city mayor, who then handed the ship over to the Society.

[8] The 2007–2008 financial crisis resulted in postponement of plans to preserve the vessel, and it was stored at the Gladstone Marina.

[12] In late 2009, plans were announced to move Gladstone to a more prominent location, before mounting the vessel out of the water on a plinth when the museum upgrade is complete.

[13] At the start of 2015, opening to the public was predicted for around Easter 2015, although as of October, further work in making the ship safe and accessible was required.