Until the early 1960s, Swan Island was home to only a few people, mainly military families who worked, played and regularly travelled to and from the island via a trolley (tram) across a bridge. Access to the island by ‘outsiders’ was limited.

The island families were relatively self-sufficient with an abundance of fish, plenty of rabbits, home-grown vegetables, family cows and hens.

A family highlight was the Saturday night trolley trip which took everyone to Queenscliff for a night out at the ‘pictures’.