'Eternally grateful': Region mourns sporting icon only months after Hall of Fame induction

A multi-club stalwart and member of the Cricket Illawarra Hall of Fame has been remembered as one of the finest allrounders to have brought his skills to the region.

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Cricket Illawarra hero Bill Moffat has died five months after Hall of Fame induction. Pictures supplied.

Dapto, Keira and Berry-Shoalhaven Heads legend Bill Moffat died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Monday September 28 at age 81.

His daughter Kristy Plum shared the news with the public via a GoFundMe which had been set up to assist in Moffat's medical transportation to Queensland's Sunshine Coast one month ago.

"We had a week with him, loving him, caring for him, laughing, crying and making him feel loved, cherished and spending time talking about his memories," Plum said.

"It was a gift I will be eternally grateful for.

A close friend who reunited with Moffat in 2023, Jeremy Lasek was also present in his final days.

"Dad was extremely grateful and appreciative for Jeremy's friendship and saw him as a son," Plum said.

"Jeremy's kindness and generosity has helped dad and our family so much over these years when dad needed help the most.

"We want to thank you again for your generosity in helping dad be with his family when it mattered the most."

Bill Moffat with his family. Picture supplied

The GoFundMe will remain active and all donations will go towards the cost of Moffat's medical transportation loan.

The heartbreaking news comes five months after Moffat was the 16th inductee into the Cricket Illawarra Hall of Fame.

The ceremony in April saw the former Sydneysider honoured, alongside Harold Stapleton and Ron Ring, for his 25 years of service as a player and coach, and enduring dedication to the sport beyond the pitch.

Moffat's arrival onto the Illawarra scene in 1975 proved to be one of the greatest in Cricket Illawarra's 150-year storied history.

Starting as a left arm pace bowler, he later adapted his style to slow to medium around the wicket, relying on subtle shifts in pace and flight.

Bill Moffat was a formidable batsmasn. Pictures supplied.

Beyond his technical skills, Moffatt was renowned for bringing a tough, disciplined, and professional edge to every team he represented.

As a 19-year-old in the mid-1960s, he broke onto Sydney's first grade scene after scoring 536 runs in 11 matches for Petersham-Marrickville. Moffat later set a then record of 642 runs in second grade during the 1968-69 season.

Bill Moffat's 1974-75 Marrackville-Petersham first grade premiership side.He is third from right rear. Picture supplied

His return to the top grade for Stockton in 1969 featured four centuries on the way to 560 runs and 28 wickets including one case of taking 6/46 against Mosman.

Moffat left Sydney's cricket scene after the summer season of 1974-75 during which he led Petersham-Marrickville to the first grade premiership.

Over the decade, he tallied career totals of 4,258 runs and 244 wickets as well as earning NSW selection on three occasions.

From then on, the Illawarra was graced with his professionalism, talent and dedication.

Moffat joined Dapto Cricket Club as player-coach, introducing strict fitness, discipline, and form-based selections which culminated in the club's first ever first grade premiership in the 1975-76 season.

Bill Moffat was inducted into Cricket Illawarra's Hall of Fame in April 2026. Pictures supplied

Taking 4/33 and scoring 102 runs not out, Moffat starred in the final.

His iconic feats during those 25 years included two dismissals and a 28 not out while playing for Southern Highlands NSW in a representative match against the West Indies that same summer.

From 1983 as a Keira Lion until his final season with Berry-Shoalhaven in the late 1990s, the much loved Cricket Illawarra stalwart reached 12 grand finals.

Keira first grade won the 1987-88 premiership. Bill Moffat is first front left. Picture supplied.

This was headlined by incredible 10 consecutive for the latter, as well as helping to end Keira's 25 year premiership drought during the 1987-88 season.

Moffat's stardom continued into his 70s when he was selected for the Australian Seniors team to tour England, though he later withdrew from travelling.

At age 50, and 31 years into his senior career in 1994-95, Moffat led the club to its first top grade premiership in 42 years.

Dick Dallas and Bill Moffat celebrate Keira's 150th year in 20211-12. Picture supplied

He was named man of the match in the process, using 27 overs to take 4/29 and scoring 32 not out including the winning runs.

Moffat made another final alongside his son John four years later, and left the pitch for a final time having accumulated more than 1,500 runs and 275 wickets while representing Berry-Shoalhaven Heads.

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