Vale Stuart Hamilton
Vale Stuart Hamilton
It is with great sadness that ECA learned of the sudden passing of Life Member Stuart Hamilton following a brief illness. Stuart was 59.
Not really a cricketer (he played hockey more than cricket), Stuart was a master administrator. He was a tireless worker for cricket, joining the ECA Junior Executive in 2007 as the Junior Representative Teams Manager, having previously managed the Junior teams at STC South Camberwell (where he is also a life member) for a number of years.
Stuart took the ECA Junior representative program into a new era of success, whilst he was also heavily involved in the coordination of the various VMCU competitions from 2009 to the present. In 2012, Stuart took over as the Junior Administration Manager for Friday night teams, a role he performed for three years, before rising to Junior Chairperson in 2015, a role he continued in for a further six years.
Stuart was also instrumental in the creation and expansion of Inner East Girls Cricket. He provided considerable support into the evolution and ultimate development of the Inner East Girls Cricket competition and more recently advancement of the women's competition. He understood the challenges faced by the new competition and the input of such an experienced administrator has been invaluable. In the last two seasons, Stuart has remained steadfast in his support of IEGC/EGWC. The Committee were able to reply upon Stuart's experience to assist with fixturing and guide decision making. Stuart was conferred life membership of the ECA in 2020.
Stuart performed many tasks for the ECA over the years. He was always organised, ever willing to discuss an issue and formulate a policy and most importantly, was impartial in his decision making. He greeted people with a smile and good humour, even when dealing with less pleasant demands of an administrator. The strength of Junior Cricket in the ECA is in no small part the result of Stuart's involvement; his passion was junior sport and his impact was unsurpassed.
The ECA and local cricket in the eastern suburbs are better for Stuart's dedication, enthusiasm, vision and organisational skills. He will certainly be missed by all in the ECA Community and the VMCU.
On behalf of the ECA Executive, our committees and all of our Member Clubs, we offer our condolences to Stuart's wife, Lucy and all his family on the loss, far too soon, of a good friend, a great man and an exceptional leader.
Neil Dalrymple
President. Eastern Cricket Association
Thank you to Richard Barker and Dani Hedley for their contribution to this tribute