From Barossa royalty, sporting stars to Liberal leader: The famous family behind Ashton Hurn

Ashton Hurn’s rise to Liberal leadership continues an extraordinary legacy few families can match, spanning local government and elite sport.

The Hurn family – mum Sandi, dad William and children Ashton and Shannon – when Shannon was drafted to the West Coast Eagles in 2005.

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Ashton Hurn’s anointment as the new SA Liberal leader is just the latest accomplishment from a Barossa family with a rich history of leadership dating back generations.

Hurn’s brother Shannon played more than 300 AFL games and is a premiership captain of the West Coast Eagles.

Her father William played 135 SANFL games for Central District, while his grandfather Brian was a former Barossa mayor and South Australian cricketer.

William, Sandi, Ashton and Shannon in a Hurn family portrait. Picture: Supplied

Ashton and Shannon Hurn have forged distinguished careers in their chosen fields. Source: Facebook

The Hurn family remain stalwarts of the Barossa community, and Barossa Council Mayor Bim Lange said that Brian would be proud his granddaughter had taken on such a responsible role, and that her “background in politics will hold her in good stead”.

Here is a quick look at the family legacy behind the new Liberal leader, and their storied history of representing the Barossa and South Australia.

Brian Hurn

Grandfather Brian ‘Bunger’ Hurn spent 37 years in local government, including becoming the inaugural Barossa mayor in 1996 – a position he held for 18 years.

He was also president of the South Australian Local Government Association for two years, was awarded with the Medal of the Order of Australia, and the Centenary Medal for his service to the community through local government and state and regional level.

Cricketer Brian Hurn bowling in the 1960s.

Brian was also a champion cricketer who was part of South Australia’s Sheffield Shield-winning side in 1963-64.

The fast-medium bowler took a career-best 5-62 against an England touring side at Adelaide Oval in 1958 – an effort that included the prized wickets of star English batsmen Ted Dexter, Colin Cowdrey and Tom Graveney.

William Hurn

Brian’s son William played 135 games for Central District in the SANFL from 1982-1989 and remains a prominent member of the Barossa community as a lamb producer and vigneron.

Shannon Hurn

If William and Brian’s sporting careers were impressive, Shannon’s was legendary.

Shannon currently holds the record for the most games played for the West Coast Eagles, with 333.

He captained the side to the 2018 premiership, and was awarded All Australian representation in 2018 and 2019.

Shannon Hurn captained West Coast to the 2018 AFL premiership. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Just like his grandfather, Shannon also had the chance to represent SA in cricket as he took on a SACA rookie contract before shifting his total focus to football.

He is now a development coach for the Eagles.

Ashton Hurn

Ashton also grew up surrounded by sport, playing netball for Angaston before playing in Netball SA’s Premier League competition and representing South Australia in junior teams from under-13s to under-21s.

In Year 12, the-then Nuriootpa High School student won a scholarship with the SA Institute of Sport, but a potential career as a professional netballer fell by the wayside when she started working for former premier Steven Marshall.

Ashton Hurn arrives at Parliament House with son Rupert on Monday to be elected the new leader of the SA Liberal Party. Picture: Kelly Barnes

She became a member of parliament when she replaced retiring MP Stephan Knoll in the seat of Schubert in the 2022 state election.

Ashton’s husband, Adam Howard, was previously the senior media adviser for Christopher Pyne.

Originally published as From Barossa royalty, sporting stars to Liberal leader: The famous family behind Ashton Hurn