Northcote Rise

Last week we celebrated 50 years of Dixon’s. This week, we caught up with the legend who started it all, and he still lights up talking about records.

David Dixon grew up in a big, musical family, learning to put the needle on his sister’s 78s when he was barely tall enough to reach the turntable.

Later on when he told his uncle he wanted a business of his own, the advice was simple. “Make your hobby your business, David.”

So he did. A stack of 5,000 secondhand 45s became a little shop in Blackburn, and half a century later is still going, with a shop right here on High Street.

The Northcote store has been part of Northcote Rise for five years now, and David is the first to say the staff are the heart of it. Plenty of them are musos and mad collectors themselves, and when something unusual comes in, it goes straight on the turntable.

Fair warning though. The 70s stuff moves fast, especially Pink Floyd and AC/DC, and a copy of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours never hangs around for long.

Pop in, have a flick through and say hello. Here’s to the next 50.

There’s a sweet story behind the walls of , and artist has poured time, care and craftsmanship into creating an artwork that pays tribute to the confectionery businesses that once called this building home.

It’s a wonderful nod to High Street’s past, celebrating the businesses, people and stories that have shaped Northcote Rise over the years. Damian’s attention to detail and dedication to bringing this piece to life is something special, and we’re thrilled to see his work become part of the streetscape.

As part of the Northcote Portraits Project, this artwork is a reminder that our streets hold more than shops and buildings. They hold memories, milestones and stories worth keeping alive.

Northcote Portraits celebrates the people, places, stories and history that make Northcote Rise what it is.

The full project launches in November, with more details to come.

Keep your eyes on High Street. There’s plenty to discover and more artwork to come.

🎶 Dixons Recycled Records is turning 50!

And if you haven’t been in for a while, tomorrow is a pretty good excuse to pop in and have a dig.

For five decades, Dixons has been buying and selling records, CDs and DVDs, and along the way has become part of the story of Melbourne’s music-collecting community. Thousands of records have passed through the store — some rare, some unexpected, and plenty that have ended up as firm favourites.

To celebrate 50 years, is asking customers to share their favourite Dixons memories using — whether it’s a record you hunted down for years, a brilliant unexpected find, a favourite staff member or simply a memory of the store.

So this Saturday, head up High Street, grab a coffee, have a wander and get digging at Dixons.

You never know what’s waiting for you in the racks.

A haircut. A fitting. A recommendation from someone who knows their stuff. A menu talked through rather than simply ordered from.

These are the little moments where our traders share their knowledge, experience and personal touch with you — things you might not notice until you realise how much they add to the experience.

That’s what makes Northcote Rise special. It’s the people behind the businesses, and the connection you get when you shop, eat, create and spend time locally.

Fake spring has entered the chat.

Melbourne has decided that sunshine, blue skies and a hint of warmth are all we need to start believing winter is over… only to throw some rain and a chilly breeze at us five minutes later.

Classic Melbourne.

Luckily, Northcote Rise has plenty of places to escape the weather. Duck into one of our local cafés for a hot coffee and something delicious, settle in for lunch, meet a friend for a drink, or make an evening of it at one of our many restaurants and bars.

So if the weather turns, don’t head straight home. Grab an umbrella, rug up and make the most of the local spots keeping Northcote warm, dry and well fed.

Because fake spring or not, there’s always a good reason to head down High Street. ☕️🍷

There’s something very Estelle about this Northcote Portraits piece.

Artist has created this stunning artwork using white-on-black palette, with oysters, lemons and Lemon Myrtle woven throughout.

It’s refined, detailed and beautifully considered, with a nod to the food, style and character that make such a special part of Northcote.

We love how Manda has captured the personality of the venue while creating a piece that feels completely at home in the space.

Another beautiful addition to Northcote Portraits, and a wonderful piece of work by Manda.

The full Northcote Portraits project launches in November, with more details to come.

If you’ve spent any time around High Street Northcote, chances are you’ve heard Wobbly Boots before you’ve seen them.

A much-loved part of the Northcote community for many years, Wobbly Boots have become a familiar part of Northcote Rise playing most Friday nights outside Westpac.

Now they’ve got a pretty special new home on the wall of on Hawthorn Road, directly opposite Northcote Social Club.

Local artist .makatron has brought Wobbly Boots to life as part of Northcote Portraits, and what an incredible job he’s done. Mike's artwork captures the character and energy of this much-loved Northcote fixture and feels right at home on the streets of Northcote.

A big shout-out to Mike for such a fantastic piece. We love seeing his work become part of the Northcote streetscape.

Northcote Portraits celebrates the people, places, stories and history that make Northcote Rise what it is.

The full project launches in November, with more details to come.

That plate in the window. That perfectly cut fringe. That jar of preserves on the shelf.

Each one carries hours of testing, refining and getting it right — work most traders are too modest to mention.

A quick chat about how something's made often turns into the best part of the visit.

It's Grand Final Day! 🏉

So where are you watching it?

Maybe you've already locked in a spot at one of your favourite Northcote Rise local bars, with the big screen, a cold one and a crowd that yells at the umpire as loudly as you do.

Or maybe it's a day at home with your mates, a heap of snacks and the telly up loud. If that's you, the local shops along Northcote Rise have your supplies covered!

Either way, we reckon it's a pretty good excuse to keep it local.

Tell us in the comments. Pub or couch? 👇

Two more artworks have landed on High Street. 👀🎨

has just wrapped up her piece at Northcote Social Club, and has finished hers at Buck Mulligan’s.

They’re the latest additions to Northcote Portraits, and we reckon they’re looking amazing!

Every artwork has a story behind it, and over the next few months we’ll be sharing those stories, along with a little more about the people, places and history that make Northcote what it is.

The full project launches in November, with more details to come.

Until then, keep your eyes peeled. There are artists popping up all over Northcote Rise with brushes in hand. Stop, have a look, say hello — they’re a friendly bunch.

A big thank you to everyone who chipped in to the GoFundMe to repair the stage at Northcote Uniting Church.

The repairs are done, and none of it would have happened without your support. Every donation, big or small, made a difference.

The stage is ready for the Christmas events coming up, and it'll be a place to gather well beyond the festive season. Somewhere to catch a performance, meet a friend, or stop for a chat on the way past.

A special thanks to Jason at whose careful work and craftsmanship brought the stage back to its best. The detail shows. And thank you to Anna from for project managing it all from start to finish.

From all of us at Northcote Rise and Northcote Uniting Church, thank you. We'll see you there this Christmas.