Chief Secretary of South Australia facts for kids

The Chief Secretary of South Australia was a very important job in the government of South Australia for many years. Before 1856, this role was called the Colonial Secretary of South Australia.

This person was like the main manager for how the government ran things. They helped the Governor of South Australia communicate with different government departments and even with the public. It was a bit like being the chief of staff for the whole government!

This important role existed from when South Australia was a colony (starting in 1836) and continued after it became a state (from 1901). The job was eventually stopped in 1989.

In 1965, a new department called the Premier's Department was created. Over time, this new department gradually took over all the duties that the Chief Secretary used to handle.

What was the Chief Secretary's Job?

The Chief Secretary was a very powerful person in the early days of South Australia. They were in charge of making sure the government's plans happened. They also made sure that messages from different parts of the government and from regular people reached the Governor. Think of them as the central hub for all government activities and communications.

Why the Name Change?

The job title changed from "Colonial Secretary" to "Chief Secretary" in 1856. This was around the time South Australia gained more self-governance. The change reflected a shift as the colony grew and developed its own government structures.

The End of an Era

The role of Chief Secretary became less central over time, especially after the Premier's Department was formed. Many of its responsibilities were moved to other government areas. This led to the job being officially ended in 1989, marking the end of a long and important part of South Australia's history.

See also

• Chief Secretary - a generic description of the role in British colonies