Hugh was born and educated in Murtoa and completed his secondary education at Monivae College, Hamilton. He farmed for four years on the family wheat and sheep property before moving to Melbourne where he completed a course in Meat Inspection. He worked as a Meat Industry Standards Officer until 1990 when he commenced employment as a Rural Affairs Adviser for the Office of Rural Affairs (Agriculture Victoria and later Department of Natural Resources and Environment).

Mr Delahunty has been actively involved in community activities for many years. This includes involvement with such groups as Council, sport, school and church as well as an association with many community organisations both individually and through his work.

He was a Councillor and Mayor for the former Horsham City Council, Chairman of Commissioners of the Mildura Rural City and the first Mayor and a Councillor of the new Horsham Rural City Council. Hugh has been a keen sportsman and has played and coached many sports in the Wimmera. He played football with the Essendon Football Club and is a Life Member of the Murtoa Football Club.

Mr Delahunty has been a member of The Nationals for many years and has been actively involved at various levels during this time. He was the Member for Wimmera from 1999-2002, and after the Electorate Re-distribution, and the 2002 State Election, became the first Member for Lowan.

He was again re-elected as the Member for Lowan at the 2006 State Election and in 2010.

Hugh is the Minister for Sport & Recreation and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs.

Hugh is married to Judie and they have three sons and three young grandchildren.