**Population Decline Affects Towns in Yarriambiack Shire**

In the Yarriambiack Shire of Victoria's rural north-west, many towns are experiencing significant population decline. Brim, a town steeped in history, is emblematic of this trend. Once bustling with life, its streets now feature brick memorials commemorating clubs, organizations, and residents who have faded into memory. The remnants of the past include the site of the former primary school, which opened in 1890 and has since been demolished, leaving only a sign among young gum trees in the deserted yard.

The Brim Football Club, established shortly after the school, merged with the nearby Warracknabeal club in 2001 due to dwindling numbers. Mick Gunn, a longtime resident and former president of the Brim Football Club, has witnessed the town's contraction firsthand. "As the years went by, farms got bigger, less people around the club, and the club struggled for numbers," he said. The club was one of at least 16 teams in the area, but now only four remain.

From 2006 to 2021, Brim's population decreased by 25%, leaving approximately 180 residents. The decline is part of a broader pattern across the 15 towns in the Yarriambiack Shire, located about 350 kilometers from Melbourne. The region has seen a steady exodus of residents, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting a drop from 8,114 people in 2001 to 6,283 in 2021, a loss of 22.57%.

The largest town in the region, Warracknabeal, has also experienced a decline, with its population falling by 10% during the same period. Some locals recall the town maintaining a population of around 3,300 for years, while census data shows a decrease from 2,478 to 2,227.

The reasons for this decline are multifaceted. According to Elin Charles-Edwards, an associate professor of human geography, the trend is driven by both natural decrease—where deaths outnumber births—and net migration losses. "Ultimately, the combination of these demographic processes will lead to terminal population decline," she stated. Without significant investment or structural changes, reversing this trend may be nearly impossible.

Andrew Ward, a fifth-generation newspaper publisher in Warracknabeal, noted that changes in farming practices have contributed to the decline. "What was once a land of small farms and many families has become one where farmers have been bought out by neighbors and newcomers," he explained. This shift has resulted in fewer families and larger farms, further impacting the community's vitality.

As the towns in Yarriambiack continue to shrink, the remaining residents cling to their local sports teams and community events as vital connections to their past and each other. "Football or netball in country towns is everything," Gunn said, emphasizing the importance of these gatherings for social interaction and community spirit.

The future of these towns remains uncertain as they grapple with the challenges of population decline and the changing landscape of rural life in Australia.