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As news filtered through of Phillip Hughes’ death, his hometown of Macksville fell into a shocked silence.
“Everyone is beside themselves. The town has gone quiet. The streets are empty,” Nambucca Hotel bar manager Karl Spear told AAP of the feeling in the 2500-strong town on the NSW Mid-North Coast.
“I’m struggling to work today.
“He was home about 12 times a year to see family and he’d frequently come here with his mates.”
The son of a banana farmer, the left-hander with the unorthodox, home-spun batting technique was close to the hearts of local folk before and after breaking into the NSW side at 18 and then making his Test debut at 20.
Rugby league superstar Greg Inglis, who grew up down the road from Hughes and played in a junior league team with him, tweeted: “Thinking about the family.. I’m so sad to hear this news.. Another great mate taken too soon R.I.P #PhillipHughes you true champion..”
Hughes was remembered as a “warm unaffected country boy” in Macksville, which is located halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.
The Nambucca Valley Shire Council joined the Macksville Ex-Services Junior Cricket Club and Bowraville Rugby League in sending their condolences.
“Macksville is a strong and close community,” the statement said. “We are all shocked and saddened by what has happened to Phillip.
“We are all very proud of Phillip’s achievements and will remember him fondly as a favourite son.
“Phillip enjoyed returning home to spend time on the farm with his family and was always the warm unaffected country boy who was such a delight to be around.”
Speaking earlier, as Hughes fought for his life in Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital, local barman and champion sportsman Chris MacDonald said Hughes’ plight had hit Macksville hard.
“Every time you run into anyone, it’s the first thing people talk about,” MacDonald told AAP.
MacDonald watched Hughes and Inglis grow up to become sporting heroes in the community.
“They came through together,” he said.
“Phillip, he’s such a likeable guy. Whenever he comes home, he’s just Phillip Hughes from East Street, Macksville.
“He doesn’t walk around with any airs or graces. Everyone’s just proud of him.”
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