• Robert Taylor Hartley was born on March 8, 1817, in Trawden, Lancashire, England, to a schoolmaster.
• For 25 years, he served as a travelling preacher across England and the Channel Islands before embarking on a journey to Australia with his family on February 25, 1860, arriving on June 20 of that year.

Early Contributions in Rockhampton

• In January 1864, Hartley delivered the inaugural sermon at the opening of the Rockhampton Primitive Methodist Church, marking his pivotal role in the region’s religious community.
• He was a founding member of the Rockhampton Benevolent Society in 1866, playing a leading role in non-government welfare initiatives for the socially disadvantaged over several decades.

A Champion of Temperance and Public Service

• Hartley held positions in various non-denominational organizations, but his most fervent advocacy was directed towards the Temperance Society.
• Within two weeks of his passing in 1892, a public meeting decided to erect a drinking fountain as a fitting tribute to his legacy, still standing as a handsome sandstone memorial near the Rockhampton General Post Office (GPO).
• In 1890, he served as the inaugural president of the Queensland Conference, further cementing his influential role in the region.

The Naming of Taylor Point

• During his tenure as the Sub-collector of Customs in Cairns in the late 19th century, surveyor Christie Palmerston bestowed the name “Taylor Point” upon a scenic headland in the region in 1882.
• The naming of this prominent geographical feature was likely a recognition of Hartley’s significant contributions to the early development and settlement of the area.
• Through his pioneering efforts in religious leadership, social welfare initiatives, and public service, Robert Taylor Hartley left an indelible mark on the communities he served