[2][3] Southern Province was created in 1856, after the colony of Victoria obtained self-government.

It was one of the six original Legislative Council provinces of the newly established bicameral Victorian Parliament.

[2][3] That was reduced to three after the redistribution of provinces in 1882, when South Eastern, South Yarra, North Yarra, North Eastern, North Central, Melbourne East, Melbourne North, Melbourne South, Melbourne West and Wellington Provinces were created.

[3] After 1904, when more provinces were created, the representation was reduced to two.

[4][5] Prior to self-government, Donald Kennedy had been a nominated member of the unicameral Victorian Legislative Council, from September 1854 to March 1856.