[2] Its area was defined in the Victorian Constitution Act of 1855 as: "Bounded on the South and West by the Counties of Evelyn and Anglesea and the River Goulburn to its Junction with the River Murray; on the North and North-east by the River Murray; and on the East by the great dividing Range, excepting the Country comprised in the Electoral Districts of the Murray Boroughs and of Beechworth" (Ovens).

[3] The Murray Boroughs was a separate electorate and consisted of the towns of Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla, Euroa, Avenal and Seymour.

In August 1861 the electorate was declared for David Reid with 393 votes, a majority of ten, over John Orr.

John Orr brought a petition against the return of David Reid[7][8] and in May 1862 the Elections and Qualification Committee declared the votes legal and disqualified David Reid as member for The Murray.

[11] b = by-election Nicholson went on to represent the then newly created Electoral district of Sandridge from October 1859.