John Downer in 1898

Alexander Downer Jr in 2006

The Downer family has played a significant role in the South Australian and Australian political and social sphere since the early days of European settlement.

• Henry Downer (1814-1874) arrived in Adelaide from England in 1838.

• John Downer, 6 July 1843 – 2 August 1915, Premier of South Australia from 16 June 1885 until 11 June 1887 and again from 1892 to 1893.

• Alexander Downer, Sr., 7 April 1910 - 30 March 1981, generally known as Alec Downer, was Minister for Immigration from 1958 to 1963, and retired from Parliament on his appointment as Australian High Commissioner in London, a position he held until 1972.

• Alexander Downer, born 9 September 1951, was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December 2007. He also served as the federal parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party from 1994-1995.