VALE: RALPH EDWARDS

It is with deep sadness to advise that Life Member Ralph Edwards passed away on Sunday 13th October 2019.

Ralph Edwards was part of a small group of locals from the Avondale Heights area who met at St. James Church in Macey Avenue Avondale Heights in September 1965, to discuss establishing a football club for the youth of Avondale Heights and the surrounding areas. This was the start of the Avondale Heights Football Club
In 1966 Ralph played for the Rockbank Football Club in the Bacchus Marsh Football League. His brother Jack was Captain Coach and they won their third premiership in a row. A few of the fathers from Avondale Heights including Alf Markham went and played a few games with Rockbank and great friendships were made. Ralph won the best and fairest that year even though another Rockbank player Ian Lewis won the competition medal. Ian Lewis the following year played at AHFC and again won the competition medal. 

Ralph was Captain Coach of AHFC first senior team which started in C Grade in 1967 and were runners up to Riverside Stars Football Club. Ralph was a talented player who also represented the Footscray Football Club at Reserves and Under 19's and also captained Footscray reserves.

Ralph was named as full forward in the Avondale Heights Football Club team of the decade for the period of 1960’s and 1970’s.  He mainly played centre half forward or full forward and was a strong mark. He was an awkward kick but accurate. He played his football hard but fair. He was a strong leader and had many roles at the
Avondale Heights Football Club including: 

1967                      Secretary & Treasurer 
1968                      Senior Coach
1969                      President
1979-80                President

The Avondale Heights Football Club bestows Life Membership on deserving individuals and Ralph was awarded Life Membership along with Peter Jinks and Alf Markham in 1976. Ralph left his mark on the club and his contribution helped forge the great club that we have today.

The Avondale Heights Football Club and football family are thinking of the Edwards family at this time of grief and we send our sincerest condolences to the whole Edwards family.

The family and friends of Ralph Edwards are warmly invited to celebrate his life at the Joseph Allison Funeral Home, 941 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon on Monday 21 October, 2019 commencing at 10:00 a.m.

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