John Keith (Jack) Edwards was born in Melbourne, Victoria in 1925. He was employed as an Assistant Engineer to Leonard E Turnidge at the Marine Board of Burnie. In 1951 at the age of 26, he was appointed Engineer for the Marine Board of Launceston. He became Port Manager and Chief Engineer in 1966 and General Manager from 1975 until his retirement from the Port of Launceston in February 1980. He continued with consultancy work after his retirement.;;;;In June 1981 Edwards was awarded the Order of Australia for service to the maritime industry and the community. He was chairman of the Tasmanian Tertiary Education Commission, vice-chairman of the Australian Maritime College, member of the board of the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education and Launceston Bank for Savings. He was a director of the Launceston Gas Company and commissioner of the Hydro Electric Commission.;;;;JK Edwards was a keen yachtsman. He married and has two children.