The 117Ha of Conservation Park has been granted to Cathryn Radclyffe for 20years to ensure ongoing maintenance and to protect the unique Cultural Heritage and Nature Conservation values of the island. Matthew Flinders restocked with water here in 1802 and it has been inhabited by European settlers since 1850s;- initially to search for gold, but staying to grow and sell vegetables and goat produce to passing vessels; in 1887 Col. Armitage established a coffee plantation and built the first Homestead overlooking West Bay; in 1921 the White family moved from NZ to farm 2,000 sheep here. They rebuilt the Homestead, after replacing the Termite infested stumps of the Queenslander. Andrew Martin (Cathryns’ cousin) was visiting Australia from UK, and sailed up the Eastern coast aiming to settle in the Whitsundays. He stopped at the Island and found the Pastoral Lease was for sale in 1964. Sheep farming so far form the mainland was no longer financially viable, but as the cruising community expanded, he managed to sell vegetable and island produce to visiting mariners. Sadly Andy was conned out of the Lease in 2001, and the sustainable lifestyle was ruined by the culprit. Cathryn (on behalf of Andy) won the right to continue as the Custodian of the famous Island in June 2008, and has been working with friends ever since to restore the successful and sustainable island lifestyle. The original productive garden was destroyed and is being re-established. The orchard has many mature tropical fruit trees. The world renowned ‘Percy Hilton’ A-frame (built by Andy) at West Bay, houses thousands of boating memorabilia spanning 50 years, and is registered with the Maritime Museum of Sydney. The cruising season sees thousands of visitors to West Bay, with the adventurous enjoy the 3Km walk to the Homestead. The Community wants the Island to remain as it is, being unspoiled by development. There are only 4 of us living here at present and 3 pet dogs and some chickens. We have to cull the 18centuary free ranging goats, originally introduced to feed sailors, as well as the Wallabies and Kangaroos (introduced in 1970s), so we eat the meat and are learning to tan the skins. Italian bees were established as disease free apiary by Andy Martin, and are harvested to provide a popular island bush honey.