Vale Brian James Dixon, B.Com., Dip.Ed.
20 May 1936 – 9 July 2025
MHS 1950-1953

Brian attended Toorak Central and quickly made his mark playing football, first for Yarra, and then the 1st XVIII 1952-1953, as well as the 1st XI  June 1953.  With Matric Honours in Economics and Accounting, he won a Commonwealth Scholarship.  Studying Commerce at University, he also began his 14-year V.F.L. career playing for Melbourne, during which time he would play 258 games.  After retiring from playing, he was a Committee Member 1968-1970 the same time as he was a coach at North Melbourne.

He joined the Education Department in 1958 after graduating, and taught at Croydon High School 1958-1960, before being appointed lecturer in economics and commerce at Melbourne University 1961-1962.  He was then appointed head of the economics department, Melbourne Grammar School 1963-1964, after which he began his third career, this time in politics.

Standing for the state seat of St Kilda, which he won in the 1964 election, he was Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation May 1973 to April 1982 (for which he is best remember for his Life Be In It campaign), Assistant Minister of Education May 1973 to March 1976, under Lindsay Thompson, who had been on staff at MHS in Brian’s last year as a student. He became Minister of Social Welfare in March 1976 – February 1979, Minister of Housing May 1979 – February 1981, Minister for Employment and Training December 1980 – April 1982, before leaving Parliament in 1982. He stood unsuccessfully for the Federal seat of McEwen in 1984.  He was a significant figure in making wearing seatbelts compulsory in Victoria, one of three key factors in reducing the road toll. He received the R.A.N.Z.C.S. Grove medal in 1975 for this.

Brian was also active in community groups; he was a Rotary Exchange Fellow SE Asia 1969, director Vic. Ballet Guild 1970; member Melbourne University Council 1970-1973; founding chairman St Kilda Community group; world president International Community Education Association; patron Bicycle Institute of Vic. member Albert Park Committee of Management, Australian Institute of Political Science, United Nations Association, World Future Society; founder St Kilda Community Aid Abroad amongst many others.  

After politics, he ran the Mansfield holiday resort, and later a Bed and Breakfast at Glenburn.  His son James attended MHS 1982-1986 and was also a notable footballer and cricketer.

Brian was honoured with a State Funeral, 

Luke Savage, Honorary School Archivist