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See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Victoria
The Port Phillip District was declared in 1836 and governed by the New South Wales government in Sydney. In 1850 a Government Act was passed in London which formed the colonies of South Australia, Queensland and Victoria.
Victoria officially became a separate colony on 1 July 1851 and on 13 November 1851 the first Legislative Council of Victoria met at St Patrick's Hall in Bourke Street, now the site now of the Law Institute of Victoria. The first ministry was appointed in November 1855 by Governor Hotham. This ministry was led by William Haines and the first elections were held in 1856. Colonial parliamentarians were usually identified as following one of three political value systems: conservative; liberal; radical/democrat. These beliefs were not strongly held or discussed. Rather they were broad descriptions. Within these broad belief systems, members would group together into factions to achieve specific political goals.
Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety
Vestibule Inscription,
Parliament House, Melbourne
| Governors of Victoria | |||||
| Captain Sir Charles Hotham | 1855 | ||||
| Sir Henry Barkly | 1855 - 1863 | ||||
| Sir Charles Henry Darling | 1863 - 1866 | ||||
| Victorian Ministries | ||||
| William Clark Haines | 30 November 1855 | - 1 March 1857 | ||
| John O'Shanassy | 11 March 1857 | - 29 April 1857 | ||
| William Clark Haines | 29 April 1857 | - 10 March 1858 | ||
| John O'Shanassy | 10 March 1858 | - 27 October 1859 | ||
| William Nicholson | 27 October 1859 | - 26 November 1860 | ||
| Richard Heales | 26 November 1860 | - 14 November 1861 | ||
| John O'Shanassy | 14 November 1861 | - 27 June 1863 | ||
| James McCulloch | 27 June 1863 | - 6 May 1868 | ||
| Sir Charles Sladen | 6 May 1868 | - 11 July 1868 | ||
| Sir James McCulloch | 11 July 1868 | - 20 September 1869 | ||
| John Alexander MacPherson | 20 September 1869 | - 9 April 1870 | ||
| Sir James McCulloch | 9 April 1870 | - 19 June 1871 | ||
| Charles Gavan Duffy | 19 June 1871 | - 10 June 1872 | ||
| James Francis | 10 June 1872 | - 31 July 1874 | ||
| George Kerferd | 31 July 1874 | - 7 August 1875 | ||
| Elections in Victoria | ||
| Elections for the Legislative Council | ||
| 5 August 1856 | ||
| 31 August - 2 October 1858 | ||
| 31 August - 2 October 1860 | ||
| 1 September - 2 October 1862 | ||
| 2 September - 3 October 1864 | ||
| 31 August - 2 October 1866 | ||
| Elections for the Legislative Assembly | ||
| 23 September - 24 October 1856 | ||
| 26 August - 26 September 1859 | ||
| 2-19 August 1861 | ||
| 21 October - 3 November 1864 | ||
| 30 December 1865, 15 & 29 January 1866 | ||
Government Officials in 1860.