Geographic Naming Proposal - John Hall Oval

Published on 24 August 2019

Council has receive a request to name the No.2 Oval at Old Aerodrome Sporting Complex as shown below, John Hall Oval.

It is important for emergency services to have named features and the opportunity to recognise a prominent and respected, local family name is very appropriate.

Raymond “John” Hall was born 12 June 1948. Always known as John, his love of cricket started as a junior and as an adult he became a first and second division premiership captain with the Mildura West Cricket Club. He coached junior cricket over many years and the club was like his second home. He was also a life member of the Sunraysia Cricket Association.

John was president of the Mildura West Cricket Club for over 25 years and was instrumental in the club moving to the Old Aerodrome sporting complex. John orchestrated significant fund raising to assist in the construction of the facilities that exist today. No job was too large and he was never too busy to give tasks or people the time they deserved.

The Mildura West Cricket Club nickname “The Toads” is named after John, in recognition of a man that gave a lot more that he took. John passed away 4 September 2010, aged 62.

The name complies with the naming principles for the Naming rules for places in Victoria. Submissions on this proposal will be received up to 30 days from this notice.

Should you require any further information, please contact Dianne Donaghy, Ouyen Service Centre Team Leader on (03) 5018 8600.

TESTIMONIALS

I first met John Hall as a discarded junior cricketer from 2 other clubs about 40 years ago. The thing I remember most was a bloke who had no idea who I was or where I had come from saying to me ‘you’re welcome here my son and you’ll look good in green and white.’ That was the moment that one of my greatest friendships began. In that moment, this man that probably changed my whole outlook on life and showed me the importance of sport and being involved in a sporting club and later in life in my business venture as well.

 I was 11 years old when I came to Mildura West, and John was in his first year as club President. Little did I know he was one of the founding members of MWCC back in 1965 when they moved after years in the Mildura district competition to the now Sunraysia Cricket competition.  At that time, he had also served 9 years as club Secretary, 5years as club Treasurer, and along the way becoming a Life member of the Mildura West Cricket Club. After years of service to the Sunraysia Cricket association becoming a life member of that also.

He continued to be President of Mildura West Cricket Club for another 20 years an amazing feat in itself and still managing to captain, coach, and play in many grades for the Westies. John finally hung up the boots at the end of the 1990/1991 season with a playing sheet that reads with the best. One of only 30 players to have played over 200 games in the clubs 70 plus years of history. 1 of only 6 players to have made over 4000 runs and taken more than 200 wickets as well as being a multiple premiership player along the way. It was John Halls’ vision, relentless hours of hard work and sacrifice that gave Mildura West the home they have today; and without him, I’m sure none of this would be possible.

 I have no doubt that there isn’t a more deserving man to accept any honour that would be bestowed upon him. John Hall the Legend.

Born 12/6/68. and passed away, 4/9/10.                                             

Richard Chamberlain current President of MWCC, lifelong friend and forever in debt to Mr John Toad Hall

Throughout his life John was a champion of localism.

In business and in personal purchasing, he dealt with local suppliers wherever possible, believing that creating demand locally leads to a more prosperous and buoyant local community.

John bought the Sunraysia Daily and read it thoroughly six days a week, claiming that it was essential to know what is going on in your own town if you want to help it stay strong and viable.

John was remarkably generous with his time in acting as a mentor for young people starting out in small business, and at his funeral several speakers acknowledged his valued support in this area.

Through his business, Mallee Bearings, John sponsored a broad range of sporting groups and sportspeople from football and cricket to motor sports and harness racing. He understood the value of sport in building strong personal and community values.

John’s sporting passion was cricket and he was the visionary who engineered the development of Aero Ovals 1 & 2 from a prickle patch to the magnificent and picturesque sporting venue it is today.

John was widely loved for his integrity, his good sense, his generosity and his sense of humour and there could be few more deserving of recognition for contribution to the local community than he.

Bill Sauer