Kootara was built by NSW Government Engineering and Shipbuilding Undertaking at Newcastle, Australia in 1952.She was the second of two Australian colliers the other being the Karoon. Kootara traded on the Australian coast for some 23 years. In 1975 Kootara was sold to Amigos Navigation Co. Limasol and renamed 'Sydney', registered in Cyprus. In 1980 sold to Ursa Tradeship Ltd., Cyprus and renamed 'Padma'. On 27 August 1980 vessel stranded on Syros Island, in the Agean Sea after dragging her anchor in heavy weather while on passage from Romania to Syros. Vessel was declared a constructive total loss. Historical Information Ian Farquhar's 'Union Fleet'.