(Australia) A small country town where everyone helps out each other when needed, for example by passing the hat around in the pub to raise funds, as the town is small enough for everyone to know each other.
1998, Lee Kernaghan (lyrics and music), “Hat Town”, in Hat Town[1]:
I was born in a hat town....the locals pass the hat around and pull each other through.
2024 November 25 (last accessed), “25-Nov-2024” (0:06:40 from the start), in A Big Country radio program[2], ABC Radio - Radio National, AU:
Lucy Cooper, interviewer: In times of need Georgetown shines because, Barry says, Georgetown [QLD - AU] is a 'hat town'. Barry Hughes, interviewee: The ethos that emanates from a hat town is you don't walk past anyone that is in need.
