Alex (Alec) Gray

Mayor of Northcote (1948-1949)

Alex (Alec) Gray was one of Northcote’s most notable citizens during his lifetime. He was adept in many fields, notably sports, business and local government. Gray was an outstanding footballer and a professional runner.  He played 52 games for Melbourne before playing for Preston and then most successfully for Northcote in the VFA. He played 175 games for Northcote in 1920s and ‘30s, when the club was at its peak, and was playing coach of the 1936 Premiership winning team. After his playing career was over, Gray moved into administrative roles with the Melbourne Football Club, where he served as secretary in 1948 and 1949, and the Northcote Cricket Club, of which he was president.

Away from the sporting field, Alec Gray enjoyed business success as principle of top real-estate agency, Gray and Johnson. Locally, he served as a councillor for Northcote and then served as mayor (1948/1949). He was an important part of the formation of the Rotary Club of Northcote in 1952 and served as treasurer for Preston and Northcote Community Hospital for many years. His son Malcolm, who was born in Preston, has had a distinguished career in sporting administration, serving as chairman of the International Cricket Council in the 1980s.

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