Presenter Neville Passmore with the ABC film crew at Cliff Head Garden Island. Picture: AB Gavin Hainsworth.

The ABC TV's program Gardening Australia has completed two days of filming on WA's Garden Island for a segment to be shown later in the year.

The story depicts Garden Island as being the site of Australia's first free white settlement and Western Australia's first garden. Also, despite being only five kilometres off the mainland and one of the country's fastest growing suburban areas the island remains one of the best examples of pre-settlement environments.

The film crew was ably assisted by Mr Trevor Smith, the Conservation and Land Management Ranger seconded to the Royal Australian Navy under an agreement between the Commonwealth and State Governments on the management of Garden Island. Mr Smith's intimate knowledge of the island and its environment provided invaluable assistance to the crew.

The program's presenter, Mr Neville Passmore, said: "I found the island fascinating - a walk through history. I believe the early role in settlement and the establishment of a garden on the island is very much under appreciated."

"The forested interior is quite unique and I was excited to view this for the first time.
"The role of the Navy in looking after the environment is to be commended. A little bit of isolation goes a long way to protect this very special environment so close to Perth."

By Gary Booth, Defence Public Affairs, WA