The Canberra Press Gallery's longest serving member, from 1951 to 2011, his career spanned over 60 years reporting on the Parliament of Australia.

[1] In the later half of Chalmers career, he was best known for his roles with the independent, economic and political, weekly newsletter Inside Canberra.

Chalmer's lasting legacy are his unmatched milestones in Australian history of a fifty, and then a further sixty-year career working within the walls of Parliament House.

[4] An indication of the respect in which Chalmers was held in the Parliament is evident in the statements made both by Gillard and leader of the opposition Tony Abbott.

[3] President of the National Press Club (Australia) at a time,[6] owner of Australian Press Services (see Publications), radio presenter with 2CH,[7] Chalmer's veteran career as a journalist saw him be an editor, author and commentator in many forms, but Chalmer's later focus was writing and editing a weekly, four-page, independent newsletter Inside Canberra.

[5] His father was a champion swimmer, receiving medals from the Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of New South Wales and Surf Life Saving Australia for a rescue at North Bondi.

His three wives, family and many friends and colleagues were present at a celebration of his life hosted in his honour by the National Press Club.