BILL Edwards says it’s a smile he will never forget – that of his uncle George Edwards after Golden City Football League grand final day in 1981.
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George was beaming with pride and joy as he returned home from watching his beloved Kangaroo Flat capture a trifecta of Golden City premierships.
“That was the day the club won the first, seconds and thirds… I didn’t go to the footy that day, but I remember George coming back with the biggest smile on his face because of what a great day it had been,” Bill said on Thursday.
“He was absolutely over the moon… the happiest I’ve ever seen him was that day because of what the footy club meant to him.
“It was the culmination of a lot of years of hard work and it was just fantastic for the footy club.”
George – one of the most revered figures at the Kangaroo Flat Football-Netball Club – died on Wednesday morning, aged 85.
His affinity with the Roos began in 1946 as a player and continued in a raft of off-field roles at the club, including still filling the position of treasurer while in his 70s.
“For as long as I could remember growing up, he was either going to a footy club meeting or a Dower Park meeting… he was just completely immersed in it all,” Bill said.
“He started as a player originally at Kangaroo Flat, then became involved on the committee in various roles such as treasurer, president, secretary. He basically held all roles throughout the club over the years.”
Highlighting the esteem in which George is held at the Roos, the club’s stand along the wing at Dower Park is named in his honour – the G.A. Edwards Stand.
“I know he was very humbled and proud of having the stand named after him,” Bill said.
“He was never one to go out and seek attention or any self-indulgence; it was all about what was best for the club and he would do whatever it took to try to advance their cause in any way he could.”
In 2014 at the Kangaroo Flat 150th celebrations, George was named one of eight inaugural inductees into the Roos’ Hall of Fame.
George’s funeral service will be held next Wednesday at 1pm at the Mulqueen Family Chapel.