Simon Hatton Scholarship Fund

This is the story behind the drive for a setting up a scholarship in Simon’s memory, provided by Simon’s father, Stuart.

(Please note: we have recently increased the target amount to reflect the amount needed to support a perpetual scholarship).

“Simon was a person who always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. One of the few times I saw him really upset was at the beginning of this year (his third year at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University) when he was advised that he did not get the appropriate mark to continue on with Performance Studies. The reason he was so upset was that it was one of the few practical subjects in which he got to be tutored one on one by a sax expert in order to improve his technique, and also have the opportunity to attend weekly performance workshops, which allows students to collaborate and create with each other. Simon did what he could to try to get into the subject but unfortunately, this was not possible. He needed to get a grade of 5 and he got a grade of 4 (and was 1 point away from a 5). This was not the fault of the Con; Simon did not read the fine print and although absolutely committed and driven to improve his musicianship, he was not one to put in additional effort into his academic studies if a 4 was all that was needed. His real focus and passion was in performing, arranging gigs, working with bands and making music.

Soon after Simon’s sudden death on 10 August, it occurred to me that with the outpouring of grief and desire of people to help, it would be good to channel that into something that would provide:

- Tutoring support to a sax player like Simon who was very talented and committed to the actual performance of the sax and making of music, which at times comes to the detriment of the academic side;

- Technical sax support that would otherwise be provided if the student had achieved high enough academically to be part of performance studies;

- Mentoring support to someone who just needs some guidance from someone respected by those in the Brisbane music scene;

- An everlasting legacy attributed to my beautiful and very talented son, Simon, such that through this scholarship he has helped others, similar to himself, to blossom into their full potential as a sax player.”