The Southern Highlands Community is in mourning after the passing on Saturday of much-loved sportsman Norm Stanton at age 75.
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A familiar face around the cricket fields of the Highlands, Norm was a dedicated player, coach, volunteer and official over many decades.
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Away from the sporting field, many will recognise Norm for his advocacy following the disappearance of his and wife Jean's son, Ian near Bundanoon in 2003.
Despite this personal tragedy, Norm continued to be a exceptional and selfless asset to the Highlands community.
In his later years Norm started the veteran Southern Highlands Cricket Club which has grown to be a major presence in the cricket community.
Speaking to the Southern Highland News, club president and friend David Wells said his passing would leave a huge hole.
"He just loved cricket," Mr Wells said.
"He was regarded as very firm yet fair as an umpire and a player. He was looked up to by many people and mentored a lot of young people.
"Often when we were training in the nets at Bradman Oval, Bowral would be training as well and he'd be talking to the coaches and players. He was an institution really, we're all absolutely devastated because it was so sudden."
Speaking about his work with the veteran club, Mr Wells revealed just how much work Norm had put into growing the team over the past decade.
"It started off a small affair, really a sort of a men's shed for cricketers, and now we have players who are making the NSW division one side," he recalled.
"A couple have represented the Australian Over 60s so it's grown from Norm's original vision quite dramatically.
"He was the driving force, a terribly energetic man and he also umpires cricket locally. He was very well known by a lot of people, I'm sure the funeral will be very large."
The club are due to play a fixture against Port Jackson in Sydney on Tuesday but rather than call the game off, will take to the field with their leader there in spirit.
"Norm was due to play in Kensington on Tuesday in a social game against Port Jackson and the team is playing one short out of respect for Norm," he said.
"We are holding a position open so there will be 10 taking to the field and Stanton will be named.
"Everyone's feeling it very deeply but he wouldn't have it any other way. He would not expect us to fall by the wayside at all in fact he would be horrified if we didn't play."
A keen hockey player as well, the Mittagong Hockey Club also paid tribute to Norm.
"Norm loved playing for our club and the Men's Masters and although competitive like us all, his selfless nature to always step aside & let others have a run in his place on the field and forever encouraging the younger or new players was a credit to the gentleman he was," a dedication read on Facebook.
"In chatting about Norm today, it was commented that not only was he the epitome of a gentleman sportsman but also in life in general."
A funeral date is yet to be announced.
The Southern Highland News passes on their condolences to Norm's wife Jean and the family. He contributed many articles over the years and was a firm favourite of the newsroom.
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