Annual Ron Evans Golf Day

Tribute:

Ron Evans AM

Mr Ron Evans, AM, who passed away on Friday 9 March 2007 after a battle with abdominal cancer was an outstanding footballer, administrator and businessman and completed a Master of Administration at Monash University in 1977.

Mr Evans was an acute business man, having been an executive of Spotless Group from 1969 until 2004. He was appointed managing director of Spotless Services from 1992-2004. During this time, the catering company grew to become a multi-national organisation employing more than 27,000 worldwide.

Even with his business success, Mr Evans was most renowned for his involvement in Australian Rules football which spanned more than 50 years.

He began his football career in his local under-17s team and in 1958 was recruited by Essendon Football Club. During his time with the Bombers, he spent two years as the league’s leading goal kicker and twice won the Coleman medal. In 1963, he moved to Western Australia where he played for West Perth.

At an administrative level, Mr Evans was chairman of Essendon Football Club from 1988-1992. He was appointed to the AFL Commission in 1993, rising to chairman in 1998 until February 2007. It was during this period that Evans oversaw a period of unprecedented growth for Australian Rules football.

In 2006, Mr Evans was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia “for service to business and commerce, to Australian Rules football as a player and administrator, and to the community through support for a range of charitable organisations”.

He is survived by his wife Andrea, children David, Deanna and Richard, his mother Lorna, brothers Neil and Robert and eight grandchildren.