RIGHT from when Chris Williams arrived in Mildura in 2001 as Mildura West’s first import cricketer, John Hall’s stature at the club and in the game was apparent.
Williams, now West’s captain-coach, was 18 and fresh from England when he got his first impression of the late Mildura West president of more than two decades Hall – the man who would go on to have a massive impact on his life.
“It was clear that he was Mr Mildura West, you’ve only got to look at the colour scheme of his business (Mallee Bearings) to know it was green and white, exactly the same as the cricket club,” Williams said.
“I’m pretty sure it was his last year as president, or close to it, they took a punt to get an overseas cricketer – I was the first one Mildura West decided to get.”
Almost two decades later and the Old Aerodrome Sporting Complex Oval 2 is being renamed the John Hall Oval officially today, honouring the memory of Hall – who died n 2010.
Williams came to the district as a gun cricketer recruited by Hall but their relationship became much more over the years – they became family when Williams married Hall’s daughter Georgina in 2006.
“It sort of fell that way, he was a great father-in-law to have, we’d talk about anything and everything, we got on very, very well so it was quite an easy transition,” Williams said.
“It’s just unfortunate he’s not around anymore to be that father-in-law or father figure, not just to me but obviously for Georgina and Dean (John’s son), and Clare (his wife) obviously miss him a great deal but it’s lovely to have those memories and the cricket club will continue with his legacy long into the future.”
Without Hall, Williams wondered where his life would have ended up.
“If he hadn’t had that foresight, who knows what I’d be doing?” he said.
“But not only for me, personally, being part of the family now but that first season his help and support and offer of a few hours a week work at Mallee Bearings was critical for me to grow into the person I am today. So I’m always grateful for John and what he’s been able to do for me.”
The Mildura West Cricket Club will unveil the main oval at the Old Aerodrome Sporting Complex as John Hall Oval this afternoon, coinciding with a past players and sponsors day.
Williams said the renaming, a few years in the making, was a fitting tribute.
“I do know (Mildura West committee member and current player) Brandon Dixon has put a lot of effort and work into getting it happening and I know the Hall family are extremely grateful for Brandon’s dedication in getting it happening and the hard work he’s put in,” Williams said.
“I’m sure John would be very touched – he probably wouldn’t make a great deal of fuss about it but he obviously has a big legacy at the cricket club.
“The move over to the Aerodrome Oval … from what I understand he was a big mover and shaker in making that happen and getting West an actual home down at the Aerodrome Ovals.
“He’d spend a lot of time down at the Aeros making sure everything was in the best condition it could be on a Saturday or for training, he put a lot of time into the junior setup and that sort of stuff.”
Williams said Hall simply lived and breathed cricket.
“Not only the local stuff but the professional game as well watching from afar,” he said.
“He always preferred the radio to the TV though, that’s for sure.
“Sometimes he’d have the TV turned down and the radio turned up, even if it was slightly out of sync it didn’t worry him – but it gave everyone else the s***s, which was quite amusing.”
But, Hall had the true blue Aussie attitude.
“He epitomises the Australian volunteer stuff,” Williams said.
“What John did, he went about it quietly.
“If you look back you think ‘gee if he didn’t do it, then no one else would’.
“He was just a really good guy.”
