TO AUSTRALIAN cricket fans and those across the globe, Phillip Hughes carved his name as a swashbuckling modern day legend, but in his hometown of Macksville on the NSW North Coast, it was his unaffected attitude to life as much as anything that made him a giant of the community.
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Amid all the grief that has followed and will continue to lay over the town of 7000 residents to the news of Hughes' passing, has been an honesty in appreciation for the man.
Hughes was a country kid above all else, and not the trappings of fame nor fortune could veneer that simplicity of spirit and humility.
"He just dominated. We all knew he would play for Australia one day."
Matthew Ramsey grew up in the Nambucca Valley and played cricket with and against Hughes.
"We went to primary school together (at St Patrick's) and even when he was in the 12s and 14s you could tell he was someone special," Matthew told the Nambucca Guardian News.
"He just dominated. We all knew he would play for Australia one day."
While Matthew played with Hughes at primary school level, they soon became combatants as the former went to high school at Coffs Harbour and played for Nambucca Heads while Hughes - typically - stayed close to home, attending Macksville High and playing for the town team.
"We actually dreaded playing Macksville because if Phil wasn't away on rep duty we knew we'd get our arses kicked," Matthew recalled.
"I was an opening bowler and he used to cart me all over the ground."
But it was Hughes' measure away from the ground that was every bit as noble.
"He was a salt of the earth kind of guy. He didn't big note himself when he came back to town - even when he was playing for Australia - he was just the same bloke he'd always been," Matthew said.
While Hughes became a citizen of the world as is the lot of the modern day elite professional cricketer, he never forgot where 'home' was and came back whenever he could.
It was a little known fact - at least beyond the farm gates in the flat and rolling plains around Macksville - that Hughes had established an excellent line of stud Angus cattle at his Nambucca Valley property.
Local MP and former NSW deputy premier Andrew Stoner recalled this, and noted: "Phillip truly was a champion. He will be remembered not only as a world class cricketer, but as a champion bloke.
"We actually dreaded playing Macksville because if Phil wasn't away on rep duty we knew we'd get our arses kicked."
"A champion proud of his country roots, popular for being always happy to catch up with the locals and taking the time to share his cricket skills with the local kids of Macksville."
Another with the fondest of memories of Hughes is Peter O'Neill, who was principal at Macksville High when young Phillip was in short pants and Year 8.
Peter recalls the school's side twice reached the State knockout semi-finals - once when it was captained by Phillip's brother Jason, who was in Year 12.
"Phillip of course was our star player but Jason was also a very good cricketer," Peter said.
Peter and his wife continued to follow Hughes from near and far - spectating at the last three Ashes tours in the Old Dart, two of which featured Hughes.
"I was there the day they (Australian selectors) dropped him and I called him over for a word. He wasn't happy but he said 'it's all right, I'll fix it up and get back there'," Peter said.
Through the highs and lows of a career tragically cut short, Peter said Hughes remained his own man and as grounded as the day is long.
"He was a happy character, a good team man, and of course an excellent cricketer. He will be greatly missed."
Source: Nambucca Guardian
