.
Guest Character Profiles > Eddie Lawson Ned Manning

Eddie Lawson 2013
Marital Status: Elaine Lawson (Divorced)
Children: Rhys

The philandering husband of Elaine Lawson, Eddie walked out on his wife and their teenaged son, Rhys, when Elaine was diagnosed with spinal degenerative disease. Elaine was happy to see the back of him, but Rhys attempted to stay in touch by writing him letters, gradually growing more resentful when he received no replies, unaware that the letters had all been sent back, marked 'return to sender'. Over the years, Rhys grew close to his mum as she became ill, deciding to become a doctor in order to help other people in her position.

Over a decade later, Eddie was going to be in Melbourne, and, with his business failing and another divorce looming, he decided to try and get in touch with Rhys and make up for some of the mistakes of his past. At first, Rhys ignored his letters and calls, not wanting anything to do with him, but gradually decided that he should listen to what his dad had to say, and made plans to meet up. As the day of the meeting grew closer, Eddie was concerned as Rhys continued to ignore his calls and began to wonder if he was even going to turn up. His worst fears seemed to have been confirmed when Rhys's housemate Kyle Canning came to the bar instead, and he was upset that Rhys couldn't even have given him a chance, until he found out that Rhys had died a few days earlier, following a gas explosion at Lassiter's, and that he'd missed the funeral. Eddie told Kyle of his current problems and all of the regrets in his life, and Kyle gave him the letters that had been returned to sender all those years ago, hoping that they'd give Eddie a little insight into the mind of a teenaged Rhys. After reading the letters, and receiving Rhys's golf clubs, Eddie felt a little better about things, but warned Kyle not to waste any opportunities in life, or make the same mistakes he had.

Trivia Notes
• Although Ned Manning only appeared in episode 6605, he was also credited for episode 6597, in which he was shown in old photographs

Tenure
6605