File:First permanent Victoria Bridge across the Brisbane River, c 1877.jpg

The Telegraph wrote of the Victoria Bridge's opening ceremony on June 15, 1874 this:

THE OPENING OF THE BRIDGE.

The beautiful day which dawned on Brisbane this morning proved a forerunner of the success which attended the ceremony of opening the bridge. At an early hour the citizens were astir, the first of the official bodies to put in an appearance being the Fire Brigade, which mustered in strong force soon after 9 o'clock at the Fire Station in Edward Street, when a group was formed and a very successful photograph of the members taken.

The numerous bodies forming the procession, which was the prominent feature of the opening ceremony, assembled at the Town Hall about eleven o'clock and the procession, which extended over a space of a quarter of a mile, soon after commenced its march.

The column was headed by the Caledonian Society, about 90 strong, the vanguard consisting of Highlanders in full dress, with the pipers in full blast. The Hibernian Society, headed by their fine band, followed to the number of a hundred and twenty. Then came the Manchester Order and Grand United Order of Oddfellows, the Ancient Order of Foresters, the Independent Order of Good Templars, the Independent Order of Rechabites, The Sons of Temperance, the Total Abstinence Society, the Fire Brigade, the Mayor and Council, &c, &c.

Each division of the procession was distinguishable by scarves of various bright hues, and in many instances by handsome banners, bearing appropriate mottos. The United Order of Oddfellows had a large and handsome banner. The Lion of Scotland and the Harp of Erin wore also prominent amongst the devices.

On reaching Government House gates the Governor's cortege joined the procession, which then wheeled, and returned by way of George Street to the bridge, when the procession, which had previously been in formation of fours, opened out into twos on either side to allow the Governor and Municipal Council to pass through.

As soon as the vice-regal cortege reached the bridge, the Governor and suite alighted, and word received by a guard of honour under Lieutenant Adams, which presented arms. The procession, headed by the Governor and the Municipal Council, then proceeded on foot to the south side of the bridge, where they were received by another guard, consisting of a full company (No. 3) of the Volunteer Rifles under the command of Captain Snelling and Lieutenant O'Brien.

A deputation of the principal inhabitants of South Brisbane, headed by the Hon. T. B. Stephens, M.L.A., accompanied by Judge Blakeney, Messrs. Hockings, F. Rawlins, J. Stephens, H. Hoghton, E. Deighton, Dr. Emmelbainz, and many others then met the Governor.

The Hon. T. B. Stephens, on behalf of the inhabitants of South Brisbane, then presented the following address :

“To the Most Honourable George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, Earl of Mulgrave, Viscount Normanby, and Baron Mulgrave of Mulgrave, all in the County of York, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom; and Baron Mulgrave of New Ross, in the county of Wexford, in the peerage of Ireland; a member of Her Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Queensland and its Dependencies, etc.”

“The inhabitants of South Brisbane, through their representative, beg most respectfully to congratulate your Lordship upon the ceremony you performed today by formally opening the Brisbane Bridge, connecting the north with the south side of the river. The delay in the completion of the bridge, proceeding from various causes, to which we need not now refer, has perhaps militated materially against the interests of South Brisbane, but we hail with considerable satisfaction the permanent union between the centre of trade and the main outlet to the southern portions of our prosperous colony."

“We had hoped to be in the position of congratulating your Excellency upon the opening of a free bridge, especially as the major portion of the security for the repayment of its cost is situated on our side: but nevertheless we feel proud of the thorough completion of so important a work, which is generally acknowledged to be the finest of its kind in the Australasian group.”

"Signed, on behalf of the inhabitants."

“T. B. Stephens. South Brisbane, June 15, 1874.”

His Excellency was pleased to reply in the following terms: —

“I thank you for the address which you have just presented to me, and for the congratulation which you offer, me upon the ceremony which I have now the honour of performing, that of opening this Bridge."

“The work itself is one which does credit to the city of Brisbane, and to the colony of which it is the capital, and I trust that it may long remain as the memorial of the energy and determination of the inhabitants of this city, even in the early days of the existence of the colony. To you, the inhabitants of South Brisbane, I beg to offer my sincere and hearty congratulation on its completion. The easy and certain communication which it secures to the northern portion of the city cannot fail greatly to enhance the value of property on this side of the river, to stimulate your trade, and to encourage the erection of buildings; and I trust that the time is not far distant when many of these very available and desirable sites which you possess may be covered with substantial and commodious residences.”

The procession then faced about, the Governor as he passed the different sections being saluted with loud cheers. On reaching the north entrance of the bridge, the Governor again congratulated the Mayor and citizens on the successful opening of the bridge, which he named the 'Victoria Bridge' - amidst loud and prolonged cheering - the battery of three field guns, under Captain Geary, and Lieut. Webb, stationed on the river bank in William Street, at the same moment firing a salute of seventeen guns.

His Excellency then proposed three cheers for His Worship the Mayor, which were given with three cheers more, and duly responded to by the Mayor. The barriers were then removed and the public admitted, the first vehicle to cross the bridge being Cobb and Co. mid-day Ipswich coach.

Inspector Lewis had charge of the police arrangements, which were excellent throughout — although it may be said that the very great order observed on the occasion may fairly be credited to the good taste evinced by the public at large, of whom there must have been several thousands present.

The procession at the conclusion of the ceremony proceeded to the Town Hall, where a banquet was provided— at which about two hundred persons sat down: amongst whom were His Excellency the Governor, the Mayor and Council, the President of the Legislative Council, the Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Treasurer, the Minister for Works, the Postmaster-General, and many members of the two Chambers.