Historical information

Brian James Dixon (born 20/05/1936) is a former Australian rules footballer and Victorian politician.

Dixon played 252 VFL games for Melbourne between 1954 and 1968, playing mostly on the wing. He had a stellar football career, playing in five premierships, winning Melbourne's best and fairest in 1960, while in 1961 he was selected in the All-Australian team and he also won the Tassie Medal for his performances at the 1961 Brisbane Carnival. In 2000 he was named in Melbourne's Team of the Century.

Despite still playing football for Melbourne, he entered parliament in 1964, as the member for the now abolished seat of St Kilda, representing the Liberal Party. Being from the moderate wing of the party he clashed with then Premier Henry Bolte, especially over the hanging of Ronald Ryan which Dixon strongly opposed.[1]

After Rupert Hamer took over as Liberal Party leader and Premier, Dixon was promoted to the ministry. He variously served in several portfolios including youth, sport and recreation, housing and Aboriginal affairs. His most remembered achievement was introducing the iconic Life. Be in it. program.[2]

In 1979 Dixon won St Kilda by an extremely narrow margin, which crucially gave the Hamer Liberal government a majority of one seat in the Legislative Assembly and meant that the Liberal Party did not need to form a Coalition with the National Party with whom relations were traditionally poor in Victoria. However, in 1982 Dixon was defeated as the Liberals lost government after 27 years in office.

After his defeat, Dixon has worked predominantly in sports administration and he currently runs public speaking seminars.

Brian currently travels the world representing TAFISA and ASFAA. He is also president of AFL South Africa and takes a keen interest in other countries playing Australian rules football.[3]

Physical description

B & W photograph of Brian Dixon in profile.