[2] The building, constructed of sawn timber, was built on the riverbank at the bottom end of Fitzroy Street diaganally opposite the original Bush Inn.

[4][7] Palmer only served in the position for eleven months before resigned due to his business interests often taking him away from Rockhampton.

[3][8] When a meeting was held on 23 July 1861 at the Rockhampton courthouse, Palmer was elected to the preliminary School of Arts committee which was formed to advocate for such a facility.

[8] In January 1862, Palmer was appointed to the official committee, alongside the likes of other Rockhampton identities of the time such as Anthelme Thozet and Albrecht Feez.

[9][10] John Palmer married Janet Ewan in Sydney on 27 September 1860 before returning to Rockhampton where they subsequently raised five children.

[13] He was described in an editorial in The Rockhampton Bulletin and Central Queensland Advertiser as "a man of sterling integrity", with the newspaper also eulogising that Palmer had "always shown a warm interest in all movements calculated to promote the well-being of the town.

[14] It was reported that Palmer's funeral was "unusually large" which included a procession of thirty vehicles "of every description" and about 250 horsemen.

[19] After 15 years of marriage, Salmond died in Sydney at the age of 67 on 10 April 1890, making Janet a widow for a third time.

[25] Jeffries' successor Rex Pilbeam continued wearing the chain on formal occasions such as the opening of the new bridge in 1952 and Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 1954.