Vale Mr Alfred John Keam (1924 – 2020)

The Victorian Amateur Football Association extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of VAFA Life Member, Alfred John Keam, who recently passed away.

Alf began his amateur career with MHSOB in the VJAFA in 1941, while captain of the school football team. He played until 1952 and was a member of two MHSOB B Section premiership teams – 1946 and 1952.

Post-playing career, Alf was President of MHSOB from 1964-67 as well as club delegate to the VAFA for 10 years. He then shifted his focus to the Umpire Committee in 1971 and Selection Committee in 1972 before assuming the role of Chairman of the Umpire Committee in 1976.

His service continued as VAFA Secretary from 1978-1982 before being made Life Member in 1983. In the 1992 edition of FTLOTG it stated Alf’s “meticulous attention to detail, rapport with people and capacity to make hard decisions made these quietly efficient years for the VAFA”.

One of Alf’s sons, Nick, remembers following his father to MHSOB games as a child.

“As a boy and teenager, I followed my father most Saturday’s to watch MHSOBFC games. Sometimes these included side visits to watch other games and to Elsternwick Park for meetings and other activities,” he said.

“Dad lived and breathed Melbourne High School and the VAFA. These associations could be considered his second home and he got much joy from remaining in close contact with likeminded people.

“Like many of his contemporaries, other VAFA officials and the wider amateur football community, the success the VAFA enjoys is because of commitments and contributions of people like my father and others.”