Mr Moore officially opens to the public the knoll on Garden Island, Sydney. Picture: ABPH Phillip Hunt.

The Minister for Defence, Mr John Moore, has praised the Navy for its "custodianship" of some of Australia's earliest white history…the garden knoll at the northern end of Garden Island, Sydney.

His remarks came when he officially opened the 1.5 hectare site to the public at a function late last month.

Mr Moore said a $6 million grant from the Federation Fund had seen the knoll cleared of exotic vegetation, paths laid, directional signs erected, the ferry wharf refurbished and stairs and observation gallery built on the roof of the signal station which sits atop the hillock.

Now the public will be able to take a ferry to the area and walk through manicured lawns, between well kept gardens and finally take in possibly the best 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the city.

Staff working on Garden Island will have access to the fenced off knoll using their "swipe" identification cards. The Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith, the CO of HMAS KUTTABUL, CMDR Vicki McConachie and a group of VIPs were on hand to welcome the Minister for the official opening.

The RAN Band provided the interlude.

RADM Smith said the knoll was first used in February of 1788 when members of Captain Arthur Phillip's lead ship HMS SIRIUS cleared an area to plant corn and onions knowing these would be the only local supplies to victual the ship.

"It is also the location of Australia's oldest 'white' graffiti," RADM Smith said.
"There are initials F.M, I.R, W.B and 1788 cut into a rock.

"We now know 'F.M' was Frederick Meredith who later became a policeman," MC added.

He said a bushranger named "Black Caesar" also frequented the area.

It was also said the island was a place for gentlemen to settle their disputes with a duel.

In 1858 the island, and indeed it was an island until linked to Potts Point when the Captain Cook Graving Dock was built during WW2.

"In 1913 control was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy."

RADM Smith said the area was steeped in history, one of the saddest moments being the sinking of the ferry Kuttabul with the loss of 21 lives.