Brian Dixon
Encyclopedia
Brian Dixon is a former Australian rules football
er 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.
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.
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 :de:TAFISA and ASFAA. He is also president of AFL South Africa
and takes a keen interest in other countries playing Australian rules football
. He works for Melbourne firm Zanity.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er and Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
Politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Dixon played 252 VFL games for Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
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
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal
The Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Melbourne Football Club player judged Best and Fairest for the season.It is named in honor of Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, a former dual premiership player and World War II fighter ace killed in 1943....
in 1960, while in 1961 he was selected in the All Australian Team and he also won the Tassie Medal
Tassie Medal
The Tassie Medal was awarded to the outstanding player at each Australian rules football Interstate Carnival or Australian interstate championship series held between 1937 and 1988 with the exception of the 1975 knock-out series....
for his performances at the 1961 Brisbane Carnival
1961 Brisbane Carnival
The 1961 Brisbane Carnival was the 15th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition. It was the last carnival to be held in Queensland....
. 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
Electoral district of St Kilda
The Electoral district of St. Kilda was an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.-Members of St Kilda:-See also:*Parliaments of the Australian states and territories*List of members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly...
, representing the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
. Being from the moderate wing of the party he clashed with then Premier Henry Bolte
Henry Bolte
Sir Henry Edward Bolte GCMG was an Australian politician. He was the 38th and longest serving Premier of Victoria.- Early years :...
, especially over the hanging
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
of Ronald Ryan
Ronald Ryan
Ronald Joseph Ryan was the last person to be legally executed in Australia. Ryan was found guilty of shooting and killing prison officer George Hodson during a prison escape from Pentridge Prison, Victoria in 1965...
which Dixon strongly opposed.
After Rupert Hamer
Rupert Hamer
Sir Rupert James Hamer, AC, KCMG, ED , generally known until he was knighted in 1982 as Dick Hamer, Australian Liberal Party politician, was the 39th Premier of Victoria, serving from 1972 to 1981.-Early years:...
took over as Liberal Party leader and Premier, Dixon was promoted to the ministry
Ministry (collective executive)
A ministry refers to a collective body of government ministers headed by a prime minister or premier. Although the term "cabinet" can in some circumstances be a synonym, a ministry can be a broader concept which might include office-holders that do not participate in cabinet meetings...
. 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.
Life. Be in it.
Life. Be in it. started as an Australian government program and advertising campaign encouraging people to be more active and participate in recreational sports or other physical activities....
program.
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
Coalition (Australia)
The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a group of centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922...
with the National Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
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 :de:TAFISA and ASFAA. He is also president of AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa
AFL South Africa is the governing body and development organisation for Australian rules football in South Africa.They manage the South African national Australian rules football team, development leagues and competitions in several provinces as well as junior participation.The body is funded by...
and takes a keen interest in other countries playing Australian rules football
Countries playing Australian rules football
Note: In order to be recognised as a true national team and not simply expatriates , the list is subject to International Cup eligibility rules....
. He works for Melbourne firm Zanity.
External links
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