He surrounded the house with extensive plantings of native and exotic trees reflecting his life's work in forestry.

[1] Edward Harold Fulcher Swain was born in Sydney in 1883 and was the first Cadet Forester in the New South Wales Forestry Branch in 1899.

During this time he set aside large tracts of hoop pine forest in the Brisbane and Mary River valleys and planted areas of introduced species.

His new ideas and strong personality frequently brought him into conflict with others and he was often a controversial figure in an industry deeply rooted in traditional practice.

In 1924, he was instrumental in establishing the Sherwood Arboretum, a park on the Brisbane River, which is dedicated to the growth of indigenous trees.

[1] The house held a number of social events including a local private schools annual dance in the year of 2007.

The Swain house was built in the early 1920s on a 1.5 acre block of land fronting the Brisbane River at Chelmer.

The land has not been subdivided since the house was built and as a comparatively modest family home in grounds of this size and location, it illustrates and early phase in the development of Brisbane.

It is rare in retaining its original setting in extensive grounds with mature indigenous trees on the bank of the Brisbane River.

The house and its setting, particularly the stands of mature trees planted by EHF Swain, have aesthetic value and make an important contribution to the streetscape.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.