“All I could offer them was Italian mineral water, shipped in from thousands of kilometres away, it seemed crazy that the Mineral Springs capital of Australia wasn’t bottling their own” Brylie recalls.

Fast forward 18 years and Brylie is the owner/operator of one of Victoria’s most recognised drink brands. Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Co. started in September 2006 with high hopes, and little more than a credit card with a $5000 limit, and is now served in some of the most celebrated restaurants in Australia.

The early days were challenging; Brylie would place her daughter in childcare and race down the highway to Melbourne with bottles of mineral water in the boot of the car. She’d pick a popular café strip like Brunswick Street – and sell direct to cafés and restaurants, then zoom back in time for pick up.

The hard yards were worth it. Such was the popularity of this local mineral water that many of Brylie’s very first clients are still placing orders today.

DHMSCo. were one of the very first bottlers of Australian mineral water and its nutrient-rich mineral properties are well known; people have been coming to the region to ‘take the waters’ for generations.

It is reported that the early Swiss Italians in the area protected the springs from mining in the gold rush days, as this water resource was seen as more precious than gold. Brylie gives back to the town that has supported her business and young family by sponsoring community events and keeping it all as local as possible. The company employs a local team and distributes from Daylesford, even though it would be more economically savvy to despatch from Melbourne.  Her passion for the region is integral to the brand.

In addition to proudly sponsoring local events such as Daylesford’s renowned ChillOut Festival and the Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club, Hepburn Football Club, and the Swiss Italia Festival, this year, the company is joining forces with Daylesford Macedon Tourism at the Melbourne Food + Wine Festival at Fed Square. Since 2010, they have also been dedicated supporters of Scarf, a not-for-profit organisation operating as a social enterprise.

The brand now boasts 26 products, with the 27th coming soon: their signature products are their sparkling mineral water, still spring water, a popular certified organic range, a natural flavoured mineral water range, and natural juices.

DHMSCo. products can now be found in fridges all around Australia. This refreshing local drop is loved by everyone, from hipsters perched on milk crates in hidden laneway haunts to CEOs sitting at crisp white linen tables at award-winning restaurants.

@katherine_douglas_art

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Image: Hepburn Mineral Springs. Victorian Railways Collection, ca. 1945.