1974: Graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne and later gained a masters degree;

1975: Started work as a veterinary officer with the Department of Agriculture;

1985: Unsuccessfully contested Liberal Party preselection for Polwarth;

1987: Becomes a manager with the Department of Agriculture.

1988: Elected as Member for Portland at the 1988 state election after gaining Liberal Party preselection earlier that year;

1992: Kennett government wins power. Dr Napthine becomes parliamentary secretary to Health Minister Marie Tehan (mother of Wannon MP Dan Tehan).

1996: Appointed by Premier Kennett as Youth and Community Services Minister;

September 1999: Kennett government loses a majority at 1999 election, Dr Napthine serves as state Treasurer for 13 days;

October 1999: Replaces Jeff Kennett as Liberal Party leader. Becomes Opposition Leader against new premier Steve Bracks;

August 2002: Loses the Liberal Party leadership to Robert Doyle. His Portland electorate is abolished and absorbed into the new seat of South West Coast;

November 2002: Anti-Coalition swings statewide lead to Dr Napthine nearly losing South West Coast to Labor candidate Roy Reekie.

2006: Boosts his margin in South West Coast at the November 2006 state election under new Liberal Party leader Ted Baillieu;

2007: Speculation about a return to the Liberal leadership although nothing eventuates;

November 2010: Coalition wins 2010 state election with Dr Napthine enjoying a massive swing in South West Coast;

December 2010: Appointed Regional Cities Minister. Also picks up the racing, ports and major projects portfolios;

May 2011: Secures funding for a south-west Victorian cancer centre, as advocated by campaign group Peter's Project;

March 2013: Ted Baillieu resigns as premier and Dr Napthine replaces him on the same evening;

April 2013: Big bounce in the polls for Coaltion with Dr Napthine in front as preferred premier;

May 2013: Signs Victoria onto the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) alongside Prime Minister Julia Gillard;

September 2013: Tony Abbott's victory at the 2013 federal election leads to Canberra cash for East-West Link development;

June 2014: Napthine government rocked as renegade MP Geoff Shaw threatens to support the opposition on the floor of State Parliament;

November 2014: Loses government to Labor under Daniel Andrews at the 2014 election and resigns as Liberal Party leader;

December 2014: Former planning minister and Napthine staffer Matthew Guy succeeds Dr Napthine as Coalition leader;

September 2015: Retires as member for South West Coast.