By Bridie Byrne
HOBSONS Bay lost a legend in Stanley Hatt when the much-loved sportsman died after a long battle with thyroid cancer.
The 71-year-old died on 2 July at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
He is survived by his daughter Michelle, stepdaughter Pamela, stepson Adrian and grandchildren Mia, Eve, Jed and Jai.
Daughter Michelle Hatt said her first memories were of being hoisted up onto her dad’s shoulders and traipsing around Williamstown being told stories of the place and the people that lived there.
“Even though I had not lived in Williamstown for many years, every time I would come to visit my dad I would have to do a lap of honour around town usually ending up at the Hatt Reserve where I would get a history lesson on how our family made one of the first cricket grounds in Willy,” she said.
“It is stories like this that make up the history of this town, and makes the Hatt name synonymous with Williamstown, and I being a Hatt am also proud.”
Michelle Hatt said she started watching her dad play cricket from her pram.
“He treasured his time playing sport, whether it was cricket or baseball and played both sports well and always played in the true spirit of the game,” she said.
“He was a gentleman of the sport, which is a rarity these days.”
She said his other passion was the Western Bulldogs.
“Many Saturdays were spent watching Footscray getting thrashed, but once every now and then, they would totally redeem themselves by winning spectacularly. I’m sure he will continue supporting them and get just as frustrated when they lose,” she said.
Michelle’s mother, Margaret Wright, said one of the things Stanley Hatt was best known for was his sense of humour.
“He had a very dry sense of humour and he was always able to catch you out,” she said.
“You could never tell if he was making a joke or being serious. The two things he loved were his family and sport.”
Mr Hatt was an icon at the Altona North Cricket Club.
The ANCC, established in 1923 as the Kororoit Stars Cricket Club, was formed by the Hatt family with seven family members in the team.
For many years the Stars had just one team and played their home matches in Williamstown on the ground that would become Hatt Reserve.
The ground was named in honour of the Hatt family for their contribution to sport in the Williamstown area.
Stanley Hatt joined the club in 1950. He captained the under-16 side to its first junior premiership flag in 1950-51 and captained the senior side to a premiership in 1960-61.
Mr Hatt remains the club’s most capped premiership player with six premierships under his belt.
He played 240 games, made 6000 runs, took 500 wickets, was club champion and won several batting and bowling awards.
Stanley Hatt was also active in the administration for most of his years at the club. He was a committeeman, treasurer, social secretary and a life member.
Altona North Cricket Club member and former president John Dickenson said his tireless work as social secretary was the push to create a Best Clubman award.
“The award is named in honour of Stan and his achievements,” he said. “I was privileged to receive this award from him.
“Stan was universally admired and respected at Altona North and within the broader sporting community. He was a great competitor, a great clubman – a much-loved person. Stan Hatt was a legend.”
More than 130 people attended the funeral at Nelson Bros Williamstown on 8 July.
The Hatt family wants to thank all who attended for their kind words and support.
