Hugh was born and educated in Murtoa and completed his secondary education at Monivae College, Hamilton. He farmed for four years on the family wheat and sheep property before moving to Melbourne where he completed a course in Meat Inspection. He worked as a Meat Industry Standards Officer until 1990 when he commenced employment as a Rural Affairs Adviser for the Office of Rural Affairs (Agriculture Victoria and later Department of Natural Resources and Environment).

Hugh has been actively involved in community activities for many years. This includes involvement with such groups as Council, sport, school and church as well as an association with many community organisations both individually and through his work.

 

He was a Councillor and Mayor for the former Horsham City Council, Chairman of Commissioners of the Mildura Rural City and the first Mayor and a Councillor of the new Horsham Rural City Council. Hugh has been a keen sportsman and has played and coached many sports in the Wimmera. He played football with the Essendon Football Club and is a Life Member of the Murtoa Football Club.

 

Hugh has been a member of The Nationals for many years and has been actively involved at various levels during this time. He was the Member for Wimmera from 1999-2002, and after the Electorate Re-distribution, and the 2002 State Election, became the first Member for Lowan.

 

He was again re-elected as the Member for Lowan in the 2006 State Election. His primary vote increased by 7% to 48%.

 

Hugh is married to Judie and they have three sons and three young grandchildren.

In February 2008, Hugh was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Sport & Recreation, Youth Affairs and Veterans' Affairs.

 

Following a win by the Liberal/Nationals Coalition in the State election on 27 November, 2010, Hugh was appointed as the Minister for Sport & Recreation and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, and was sworn in on Thursday 2nd December, 2010.

 

Sporting Biography

 

Commenced playing with Murtoa in the Wimmera Football League in 1967.

 

After 4 years transferred to Essendon for 3 seasons, 46 senior games under coaches John Birt and Des Tuddenham.

 

In 1974 moved to Donald in North Central League for 3 seasons, which included winning Country Championships in 1975 and N.C.F.L. Best and Fairest (Feeney Medal) in 1976.

Returned to Murtoa in 1977 and coached Murtoa 1978 – 1981. Winning Murtoa’s one and only premiership in 1980.

 

Coached Dimboola for 2 years – 1983 to 1984 and the Wimmera Interleague team for 9 years.

 

Defeating Ballarat Football League in grand final of Country Championships (Division 2) in 1988.

 

Hugh has been actively involved in community activities for many years.

He has twice been Mayor of Horsham, and he was Chairman of Commissioners with Mildura Rural City Council.

 

Hugh was elected as the State Member of Parliament for the electorate of Wimmera in September, 1999, and was returned to Parliament on 30th November, 2002 as the Member for Lowan and re-elected on 26th November, 2006 and again on 27th November 2010.

 

He was the Nationals Whip and a member of the All Parliamentary Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee.  Hugh has also been a Board member of VicHealth and is a charter member of the Lions Club of State Parliament Victoria.

 

2008 Hugh was appointed the Liberal Nationals Coalition Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation; Youth Affairs; and Veterans’ Affairs.

 

2nd December, 2010 Hon Hugh Delahunty, MP was sworn in as Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.