RON 'Pud' Kee, born in Leongatha and formerly of Inverloch, played in the 1955 Leongatha premiership team before being recruited by St Kilda as a prodigious young talent. where he played two games and ultimately struck up a lifetime friendship with trucking magnate Lindsay Fox, with whom he spent most of his working life.
In fact, it has been reported that as Pud Kee lay convalescing in his bed at Alchera House, Fox flew his helicopter to Wonthaggi and landed in the hospital carpark to pay his old mate one last visit, such was the level of esteem with which he held Kee.
Remembered locally as a great sportsman and a better bloke, Pud was also a talented cricketer during his time with the Leongatha Fire Brigade and Leongatha High School cricket clubs, later an excellent lawn bowler for the Inverloch Bowls Club, following his move to the town.
The St Kilda Football Club has this week carried a fine tribute to a man they said could have played a lot more senior games if he hadn’t been overshadowed by Bill Young. Kee also played a pivotal off-field role at the club, with daughters Joanne and Katie also invoved in what was a family commitment to the Saints.
Here is the memorial story posted on the Saints website this week by Russell Holmesby:
Ron Kee was a popular figure at St Kilda in his playing career in the late 1950s and then left a lasting impression on another generation of Saints players as a volunteer at the club in the 1980s.
Ron passed away on October 24 at the age of 84.
He played two senior games for the Saints in 1959 at full-forward, and his chances at the top level were restricted by the presence of star full-forward Bill Young who had topped the VFL goalkicking in 1956. The lightly built Young was dropped after a brief slump and the taller Kee took his place, making his debut against Collingwood at Victoria Park.
As a youngster Ron Kee played for Leongatha and Korumburra. He was something of a teen prodigy bagging 19 goals in a reserves game with Leongatha then kicking 11 in another game for the firsts.
At St Kilda he began in the under-19s and played in the Saints under-19 premiership side of 1957. Progressing to the reserves he booted 42 goals in the 1959 season and was chosen in a VFL reserves team. But he left the Saints in 1960 to play for Poowong.
South Melbourne gave him a second chance in 1961, but with no opportunities at senior level he crossed to VFA club Moorabbin where he paired up again with long-time mate Lindsay Fox who joined Moorabbin in 1962.
Ron and Lindsay were part of the Moorabbin team which won the 1963 VFA flag. Ron was a natural full-forward, but as had been the case at St Kilda with the diminutive Billy Young, Moorabbin had a highly talented, but shorter, full-forward in Max Papley.
After Moorabbin disbanded at the start of 1964 Ron played for the Brighton-Caulfield team in the VFA. He later topped the goalkicking in the Peninsula League and also turned out for Springvale in 1967.
Ron always had a special place in his heart for the Saints and returned to the club in 1980 and took on roles as team manager.
In later years he was a regular visitor to Past Players’ Reunions.
As well as his football connection with Lindsay Fox, it has been reported that Pud played a key role in the early development of Fox's logistics business. At one time, Fox had two trucks used to deliver heating oil around Melbourne's beachside suburbs, one driven by Lindsay and the other by Pud.
As well as his two daughters and their extended families, Pud leaves his wife Yvonne, also a resident of Inverloch.
It is anticipated that a memorial service, to celebrate the life of Ron 'Pud' Kee will be held at the Wonthaggi Golf Club next Thursday, November 2 (please check funeral notice).
