The state electorate of Finniss will celebrate 50 years of service to its community this month.

Current MP David Basham is inviting the community to his Finniss Electorate Office on Victoria Street, in Victor Harbor, this Friday 9 May from 12noon to 2pm for a free barbecue and coffee.

The Victor Harbor Rotary Club will cook the barbecue and the Brew Box will make the coffee and there will be a large birthday cake for all to enjoy, all funded by the MP.

Past local member and former Premier Dr Dean Brown AO will attend, along with Leader of the Opposition Vincent Tarzia.

Mr Basham says he is proud of the legacy of the South Australian House of Assembly seat.

“The seat has attracted passionate local members who have fought hard to be a strong voice for the south coast community.

“We have had Ministers and Shadow Ministers with a focus on rural and regional issues to support the growth of our region.

“To have a Premier within the electorate is why the Southern Expressway was funded, which was integral in bringing the Fleurieu region to Adelaide’s doorstep. It was a boon for the region economically, transport wise and for tourism.”  

Known as Alexandra from 1902 until 1993, the electorate was originally twice the size and took in Noarlunga and Mount Barker. 

Redistributions and adjustment for the growth of the south coast region have changed the boundaries to the current electoral district of Finniss, renamed after the first Premier of South Australia.

It covers more than a thousand square kilometres of regional area from Waitpinga, through the Fleurieu Coast and across to Point Sturt and up to Mount Compass and Sandergrove, including a portion of Lake Alexandrina.

The first office for the electorate was set up by local member, Ted Chapman, who represented the region from 1973 through to 1992. He was Minister for Agriculture and Forests under the Tonkin Government. 

Dean Brown took over the seat in 1992 and remained the local member until his retirement from politics in 2006, overseeing the transition from Alexandra to Finniss during that time Dr Brown also served as the 10^th Premier of South Australia. 

Michael Pengilly won the seat in 2006 and remained until 2018, when he stepped down to again become Mayor of Kangaroo Island.

Current MP David Basham has held the seat since 2018. He served as Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development between 2020 and 2022 and has been the Shadow Minister for Environment and Water Infrastructure since January this year.

Image courtesy of State Electoral Commission.