 Biography
As a State Member of Parliament for over 20 years and Member of Local Government for ten years before that, Ivan has a life time of service to the public community in South Australia. He has a reputation as being a fierce advocate for country people – intensely interested in the State’s Primary Industries and is a strong supporter of state infrastructure – roads, rail, water, power and fights against drugs.
Ivan was one of five children and the eldest son to Howard and Shirley Venning. Howard entered politics in 1968 and served for 11 years in State Parliament.
Ivan attended Crystal Brook Primary School and Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. Ivan worked on the family farm until 1966, when he was called up for National Service – serving in the Royal Australian Artillery as a gunner, operator and batman to the Commanding Officer III Battery.
Ivan has been married to his wife Kay for over 40 years and they have three children Mark, a 5th generation farmer on the family farm ‘Montrose’; Shane, a medical engineer at Mayne Pharma and Joanne, State Manager of DE PUY, a Johnson and Johnson international prosthesis company.
Ivan was elected in 1990 and has enjoyed periods of service since then in both Government and Opposition. In 1994, Ivan was elected as Chair of the Environment, Resources and Development (ERD) Committee – a position he held for four years. Ivan also served on the Public Works Committee for four years and since 2006 he is back serving on the ERD Committee. Following the 2006 election Ivan was elected as the Opposition Whip, a position he held until 2010.
Ivan has a great love for wine and in 2002 he was inducted as a Baron of the Barossa. Ivan also has a love for vintage cars and tractors and enjoys playing lawn bowls. Ivan likes to take time out and relax on his farm and is a fierce supporter of the Port Power Football club.
Ivan is very active within his Electorate of Schubert. He has achieved many goals including getting filtered water piped to townships within the electorate and bitumising roads and continues to strive to get a new hospital for the Barossa Valley region and better public transport services across the electorate. Ivan attends many community events, meetings and regularly gets out and about in the electorate to meet with his constituents.
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