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Clare's Politicians
Clare Valley is represented by politicians at the federal, state, and local levels. The primary political representatives for the region include (2026):
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State: Following the 2024 electoral boundary redistribution, Clare Valley is located in the state electorate of Ngadjuri. The district is represented by David Paton MP (One Nation). [1, 2]
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Local: The Clare Valley is primarily governed by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council. The council is led by Mayor Allan Aughey OAM, alongside area councillors Ann Alder, Brian Koch, David Willson, Elizabeth Calvert, Jeannine Naughton, Leon Bruhn, and Malcolm Bartholomaeus. [1, 2, 3, 4]
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Federal: The region falls under the federal electorate of Grey, which is currently represented by Rowan Ramsey MP (Liberal Party of Australia). [1]
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For a complete directory of local government members, visit the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council website. You can track state representatives on the Parliament of South Australia directory.
Clare's Famous Politicians
Historic politicians associated with the Clare Valley
The Clare Valley has produced and been represented by several significant political figures from South Australia's colonial period through to the 20th century. The historic electorate of Stanley, centred on Clare, was particularly influential in the state's early parliamentary history.
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George Charles Hawker
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Pioneer pastoralist who settled near Clare in the 1840s.
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Member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1858 to 1895, making him one of the colony's longest-serving parliamentarians.
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A leading advocate for agricultural and pastoral development in the Mid North.
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The Hawker family became one of South Australia's most prominent political families.
Charles Allan Hawker
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Born in Clare.
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Decorated Gallipoli veteran and recipient of the Military Cross.
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Federal Member for Wakefield (1929–1938).
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Remembered as one of Australia's most promising young parliamentarians before his death in the Kyeema air disaster.
George Strickland Kingston
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Represented the electorate of Stanley, which included the Clare district.
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Served as Premier of South Australia (1860–1861).
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Earlier served as Surveyor-General and was instrumental in South Australia's early development.
Alfred Catt
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Member for Stanley from 1881 to 1884.
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Prominent pastoralist and local representative during the colony's expansion.
Edward William Hawker
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Son of George Charles Hawker.
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Served in the South Australian Parliament and continued the Hawker family's political influence into the early 20th century.
William Younghusband
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The sole member for the original Legislative Council district of Stanley between 1851 and 1857, before the creation of the bicameral parliament.
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An important figure in South Australia's early colonial government.
Other notable Clare district figures
While not primarily remembered as politicians, the following played important roles in the district's public life:
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Edward Burton Gleeson – founder of Clare and a member of the colonial Legislative Council.
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John Horrocks – explorer and early public figure whose expeditions opened the district to European settlement.
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Historic Figures
The Hawker family stands out as the Clare Valley's most influential political dynasty, with George Charles Hawker and Charles Allan Hawker ranking among the region's best-known historical politicians.
The old electorate of Stanley also produced several notable colonial parliamentarians and premiers, making Clare an important centre in South Australia's early political history.