HMAS Penguin was commissioned on 14 July 1942. It is situated in the suburb of Balmoral on Middle Head in Sydney Harbour and has an annex at Pittwater on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
The primary role of HMAS Penguin is to provide trained personnel to the fleet. It is the home of the ADF Diving School (ADFDS), the RAN Hydrographic School and the RAN Medical School.
The base is part of the Mosman local government area and has fostered close ties with the local community for many years. It supports a number of regular community and other charity events, including:
- Balmoral Swim for Cancer
- Balmoral Burn Run in support of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation
- Cancer Council Relay for Life at Manly
- Mosman Festival
- Sir David Martin Foundation
- White Ribbon Day activities.
Penguin is surrounded by beaches and parklands and is within 30 minutes’ drive of the city centre. It is also close to many sights and sounds of Sydney, including Balmoral and Manly beaches and Taronga Zoo.