‘Positive vibes’ bolster Dimboola
New shopping experiences, quality take-away food and a wealth of natural attractions have helped put Dimboola on the map as a must-visit destination.
Business owners who have traded big city lights for the picturesque town along the Wimmera River have been quick to sing its praises.
John O’halloran, who opened Dimboola Store with his wife, Alex, in April last year, said new business activity had helped generate a ‘trail’ for visitors.
“Four new shops have opened in the past year, including ours,” he said.
“Dimboola is attracting a lot of visitors and we have had a lot of word-ofmouth advertising.
“Dimboola isn’t just a one-trick pony, and along with the shops there are all the natural features, including nearby Pink Lake. The Vic Hotel is also a drawcard. There’s a good feeling about the future.”
Dimboola Store, which features a café, home goods and regional produce, has become a hub for residents and visitors alike.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Dimboola Store welcomed a men’s coffee group each morning, and regularly hosted members of mothers or friendship groups.
On weekends, the café attracted people from across the Wimmera and further afield, lured off the Western Highway by a visit to quirky Dimboola Imaginarium or physical pursuits on or near the river.
Mr O’halloran said despite difficulties surrounding the pandemic, Dimboola Store had adapted in line with government regulations.
Like many food businesses in the region, Dimboola Store is primarily operating a take-away service despite restrictions easing on the number of patrons allowed in restaurants.
While the O’hallorans were able to continue selling coffee, food and other wares, its role as a social hub for the town was a little more difficult.
That changed last week, when Mr O’halloran set up an outdoor fire pit.
“We’ve been selling fire pits in the shop – vintage and replica ones – for the past two months,” he said.
“They’ve been pretty popular because of isolation.
“We sell a lot of to-go coffees in the café. We thought rather than having people stand around in the cold while they wait for their coffee, we could put a fire pit on our block of land next door.”
Mr O’halloran said the fire pit featured a ‘kid-friendly’ fence and quickly garnered positive feedback.
“There is a nice atmosphere and people can stand around and have a chat and still socially distance,” he said.
“At the weekend, we had people from Horsham, Kaniva and Warracknabeal visit the store. It’s a conversation starter, ‘Where are you from?’.
“It functions as an icebreaker for people while they are standing around waiting for their coffees and trying to keep warm.
“It encourages people to socialise safely and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback about what a great thing it is.”
Mr O’halloran said community involvement was the highlight of the store’s newest addition.
“We have a roster of ourselves and our customers who put a log on the fire between 7am and 8am each day,” he said.
“Members of the community have been bringing a log and laying it down by the fire pit.
“We are thankful for the contributions and it’s encouraging people to think about something positive, rather than dwell on a negative.”
Mr O’halloran said he and his wife loved being part of the community and had several value-adding plans in the pipeline.
The couple owns a block of land next to Dimboola IGA, which features a vintage Jellex mural, advertising a jelly brand popular in the 1950s.
The O’hallorans grow produce on the block, which is about 1000 square metres, and are working towards establishing a marketplace in spring.
They have called for expressions of interest for the Jellex Market on Dimboola Store’s Facebook page and will continue to work towards a spring launch.
“We haven’t set a date yet, we’re just seeing how things pan out,” Mr O’halloran said.
“We also want to offer bicycle hire from the marketplace, perhaps with a picnic hamper. It’s a great activity both in isolation and as a group.”
The O’hallorans also own a sister store, Moss Grotto, in Barwon Heads.
Mr O’halloran said Dimboola had plenty in common with the popular coastal town.
“Twenty years ago, before the Seachange TV show, Barwon Heads was as dead as a door nail,” he said.
“Now, there are 10 women’s clothing stores and six homewares shops.
“People do weekend trips and girls trips to go shopping and have lunch, because there is enough to do and look at.
“Dimboola is developing the same way. It’s a sleepy hollow, but it’s an attractive one.
“There is a really positive vibe.”