The early history of Cockatoo Island is not well known. One archaeological study claimed the site was uninhabited by the local Indigenous population prior to British Settlement but this claim is conflicted by a publication by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust which proposed there was a near certainty that the island was occupied by local Indigenous groups who reached it crossing the harbour by boat. The first documented use of the island came with the decision in 1839 by Governor George Gipps to commence a penal establishment on the island. Gipps claimed the site would be needed to mitigate the overcrowding of other goals in already in operation. This initial period of occupation was followed by numerous other chapters including as the site for a girls's reformatory and industrial school (1871-1888), maritime activities at the Fitzroy and Sutherland docks (constructed in 1845 and 1882 respectively), a training school for young, delinquent boys on the Vernon (1871-1891) and Sobraon ships (1867-1911) and also for an industrial works.
In the present day the island is managed as a multi-purpose heritage site by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. It has been the setting for numerous cultural events including the Biennale of Sydney, the Cockatoo Island Festival and MusicFest. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 as part of a listing of 11 preeminent convict sites located throughout Australia.
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