A man for every season

Former Wyong Shire Councillor and Mayor Bob Graham has been, without doubt, a man for every season when it comes to unselfishly giving his time to community. He was recognised last November for fifty years of service to the community as a Justice of the Peace.

20 January 2022

ALAN HAYES

 

BOB, who started his working life as a butcher in Sydney, opened huis own butcher’s shop at Chittaway in 1985. Life as a butcher on the Central Coast, however, was short-live because he was coerced by the local community to become a politician instead – he was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1988.

 

Bob bowed out of state politics in 1992 and was elected to  Wyong Shire Council as a Councillor for B Ward at the September 1999 election, and would be re-elected a further three times in 2004, 2008 and 2012. He served five terms as Mayor and four terms as Deputy Mayor.

 

When Mayor of Wyong Shire Council Bob Graham proved to be a humble man not wanting the usual trappings of grandeur other Mayors have insisted on. After years of loyal service to the region, he had just one special request when he was elected to his fifth term as Mayor of Wyong Shire Council. Instead of a flashy council car, Bob simply wanted a Hyundai as his Mayoral vehicle.

 

Bob Graham said at the time, “I’m led to believe I am the only Mayor in Australia driving a Hyundai as their Mayoral vehicle.”

 

Commissioned as a Justice of the Peace in 1972, Bob is very proud of his involvement and achievements in more than thirty-five years of service to his community.

 

“I am very proud to be the Patron of so many Clubs and Organisations, some for nearly forty years,” said Bob Graham.

 

“There are and have been so many of them.”

 

He is a member of Meat and Allied Trades Federation and a member of Berkeley Vale Parents and Citizens Association, who he has worked tirelessly for. He is also patron and past president and sponsor of numerous local charities, clubs and organisations, including Berkeley Vale Soccer Club, Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club, Shelly Beach Surf Life Saving Club, The Entrance Soccer Club, The Entrance Leagues Club, Shelly Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Wyong Race Club, the National Servicemen’s Association Tuggerah Lakes Branch, The Entrance Rams Rugby Club, The Entrance Cricket Club, Tuggerah Tuffs Winter Swimming Club, Berkeley Vale Soccer Club, Ourimbah United Football Club, Central Dance Company, The Entrance Amateur Swimming Club and director of Mingara Recreation Club 1980 - 1984 and 1993.

 

 

Bob Graham was also campaign manager of Central Coast Community Chest 1993 – 1995, president of Wyong Shire Salavation Army Advisory Board 1995,  a director of Mingara Recreation Club 1980 - 1984 and 1993 and member of the board of Directors of The Central Coast Mariners Football Club.

 

Most notably, Bob Graham holds the position of patron for the Australian Coal Alliance Inc., the Central Coast community group who did battle with, at first, Coal Operations Australia and South Korean Government-owned mining giant KORES and prevented a longwall coal mine being built beneath the Central Coast’s major drinking water catchment area.

 

During his term on Council, Bob Graham served on many Committees, including Chair of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary, Coastal and Floodplain Management Committee, the Beach Liaison Committee, Central Coast Regional Organisation of Councils, Gosford Wyong Water Authority, Council Governance Committee, Grants Committee, Local Traffic Committee and Sports Committee.

 

Bob Graham has proven to be a man for every season when it comes to giving his time to the local community. His recognition of fifty years of service as a Justice of the Peace is a small accolade for a lifetime of dedication and commitment to helping and supporting others.

 

Congratulations Bob!