W.G. and S.F McPherson General Store employees, front, Leonie Atkin, Alan Smith and Bev Appledore, with fellow Brim residents Kieran Lynch, James McFarlane, Greg Dixon, Neil Torney and Angela Hogema, Picture: SAMANTHA CAMARRI
The Mail-Times continues a series profiling the Wimmera's smaller towns after a new statistical definition downgraded the 'town' status of communities with fewer than 200 people. Journalist CAROLINE TANG interviews the people of Brim...
THE town of Brim was surveyed in 1890.
Census 2011 data shows Brim, a 'gazetted locality', falling within a wider area which incorporates Willenabrina and Angip to the east and Crymelon and Lah to the south.
The Dixon family is one of Brim's oldest.
Descendant Greg Dixon of R.M. Dixon and Sons said his forebears had lived at Brim since it was surveyed.
The Dixons migrated from Mannum in South Australia.
Mr Dixon's great-grandfather founded what is now R.M. Dixon and Sons about 120 years ago.
The business started as a blacksmith and evolved to incorporate a garage, light engineering services and hardware and farm supplies business.
Mr Dixon said he did a lot of steelwork and farmers were his main customers.
Except for five years in Melbourne, he has lived at Brim all his life.
"I was away for a few years than came back when my father got crook," Mr Dixon said.
"I prefer the country. Brim offers a nice, easy country life."
Mr Dixon is a Brim Sports and Community Centre committee member, Brim Bowling Club treasurer and Brim Lions Club member.
Brim also offers football, tennis, cricket and golf.
"Brim also has a lake and camping area, Redda's Park, where the Lions club does a lot of work, which is really good," Mr Dixon said.
W.G. and S.F. McPherson General Store office manager Bev Appledore has lived at Brim for 37 years.
Marriage to farmer Colin Appledore brought her to the area.
She was a stay-at-home mum and worked on the farm before starting work at the general store about 15 years ago.
Mrs Appledore said the general store, which was also a bank agent, post office and supermarket, had its main income from farm supplies.
"It's like Bourke Street here on a Monday morning," she said.
"There's a hotel and the engineering business across the street, which people visit from all over.
"They go to R.M. Dixon and Sons because they know he has it and no-one else has."
Mrs Appledore lived next door to the general store when she was first married.
"I came from Galaquil, about five miles down the road towards Beulah," she said.
Mrs Appledore said it was lovely to belong to a community with a good spirit.
"We're involved with the fire brigade and church and over the years, Colin has played tennis and golf; we were right into that," she said.
"We always have a Christmas luncheon put on by Brim Active Community Group.
"On New Year's Eve we had fireworks by the Lions club and community beside Yarriambiack Creek.
"Practically all the services and things you need are here.
"There is always plenty to do."
