Chris and Gwen Brickhill spent four years searching for the perfect country retirement spot, finally settling on the beauty and tranquillity of the outback silver city.
The couple lived most of their working lives between Melbourne and Mildura, and spent four years scouring regional town across Australia for a place to retire.
"We'd been looking around constantly, but we really put our mind to it about six months ago," Mr Brickhill said.
They considered Chiltern and Bendigo in Victoria, the border town of Albury, and Robe on South Australia's Limestone coast before finally settling in Broken Hill in May.
"Up here the desert offers beautiful scenery, tranquillity, air and soil and the colours in the desert are really enchanting," he added.
"A certain amount of peace sets upon you here."
Love at first sight
Gwen Brickhill was a a primary school teacher for 45 years, and Chris worked in sales and management for the printing industry
Both were eager to escape the congestion and hostility they felt in larger cities.
The Brickhills had no direct connection with Broken Hill, and first visited the town in the late 1980s while on holiday from Mildura.
"We explored Silverton and over the years we visited places like White Cliffs and Mutawintji and we just loved the outback environment," Mrs Brickhill said.
Since retiring 12 years ago, the couple have travelled the world but kept their home in Melbourne while their two children established their own families and careers.
"We spent a lot of time in Europe — Italy, France, and we have a favourite Greek island that we've visited 11 times — Scotland, the United States, Egypt, Cyprus," Mrs Brickhill said.
A mixed response from loved ones
Now in their early 70s, the couple received a mixed response from loved ones who were concerned about them moving to an isolated town where they didn't know anyone.
"People had opinions."
"People said we were too old and asked; why do we want to go there for, why not stay in Melbourne?" Mrs Brickhill said.
While the Brickhills couldn't be happier with their light blue house overlooking Argent Street, Mr Brickhill admits country life isn't for everyone.
"It's a specific place if you like it, but you have to come and see it for yourself," he said.
"We've had a few visitors already that have been blown away by what is here," Mrs Brickhill said.
"I got a letter from my sister thanking us for exposing them to this area."
Outback appeals to retirees
Michael McIvor runs the 25 in 25 campaign, which aims to grow Broken Hill's population to 25,000 by 2025 through funding local organisations that encourage social development.
He said it was not uncommon for retirees to be attracted to a town like Broken Hill for the same reasons that drew in the Brickhills.
"What we've seen is a huge amount retirees and semi-retirees show a keen interest in spending more time in the country," Mr McIvor said.
"They tend to have a better social life out here than in metro areas and a sense of belonging because of the tight community."
The Brickhills said that while they think the town will grow in the future, its quaint size is what sold them.
"In the future years and after we're well gone, I think a lot more people of all ages will migrate to these areas," Mr Brickhill said.
