Vel Hedley's heart beat true for the red and the blue.
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The devoted Wodonga Raiders and Demons supporter passed away last week after recently celebrating her 83rd birthday with her family.
In rain, hail or shine Vel could be found in the same spot week after week at Birallee Park cheering on her beloved club.
"It could be pouring down rain and there mum would be in her raincoat and her red and blue umbrella with her scarf on," son Ross said.
Vel played a pivotal role in seeing Raiders netball initiated into the Ovens and Murray league competition and helped with the fundraising to get the club's netball court established.
She started following Wodonga Bulldogs in the 1970's before joining the Wodonga Demons, later becoming the Raiders, making life-long friends at the clubs along the way.
Sons Ross, Scott and daughter Lea all played at Raiders.
"She was our biggest supporter," Ross said.
"She was a mad football supporter and loved sport all of her life
ALSO IN SPORT:
"She played a lot of tennis and basketball and played netball right up until she was 50 odd years of age before an illness stopped her playing.
"She was a real people person and loved going to the football and talking to people.
"She made friends wherever she went old Vel."
Her passion for football extended passed a local level into the AFL, where she barracked for five teams over the years.
With good reasoning behind each choice.
"In the AFL she had that many teams," Ross said.
"She started off barracking for Melbourne because of Ron Barassi.
"Then he went and coached Carlton so she barracked for Carlton. Then he went to North Melbourne so she followed them.
"She went and lived in Perth for 10 years and barracked for the Fremantle Dockers.
"Our eldest brother (Stephen) played for Sydney, so she always barracked for Sydney.
"When she passed away she was still barracking for the Swans."
After returning from Western Australia she settled in Bright where she had been residing for over the last 10 years.
Vel's funeral will be held at Bright's community hall on Friday, with plans for a memorial service at a later date.
Vel is survived by children Stephen (deceased), Lea, Ross and Scott.
