After more than two decades of service to Wyong Council, Mr Bob Graham “reluctantly decided not to contest the Central Coast Council Election”.
“I am very proud of my involvement and achievements in over 35 years of service to my community,” Mr Graham said.
“I am very proud to be the patron of so many clubs and organisations, some for nearly 40 years, like Shelly Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Wyong Race Club, The Entrance Leagues 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, and many more,” he said.
“I served for 10 years as a member of the Wyong Shire Salvation Army Advisory Board. “For four years, I was a member of the Central Coast Economic Development Board, for 20 years I have been a member of the Berkeley Vale Public School Council, and President for most of that time. “From the creation of the Central Coast Mariners Football Club, I served for eight years as a member of the Board of Directors. “I am a past member of the Board of Directors of Mingara Recreation Club. “I am an Executive Member of The Association of Former Members of the NSW Parliament, I am a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I am also a member of Lodge Wyong Tuggerah Lakes, Masonic Lodge. “I was proud to serve on the Steering Committee to establish the University Campus at Ourimbah.
“During my 18 years of service to Wyong Council, I served fi ve years as Mayor and four years as Deputy Mayor. “I achieved much for the local community, and was successful in obtaining a grant from the Federal Government for $80.3 million dollars for the Mardi to Mangrove Link to drought proof the Central Coast. “I got a $20 milliondollar grant to set up the Wyong Estuary Management Plan, $10 million dollars for the sporting amenities at the Mariners Tuggerah Centre of Excellence, not to mention the State and Federal Government Grants to knock down and re-build three Surf Lifesaving Clubs, Shelly Beach, Toowoon Bay and Soldiers Beach.
“During my term on Council I 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.” Many community leaders responded to Mr Graham’s statement with thanks for his service to the community. Mr John Asquith Chairman of the Community Environment Network thanked Mr Graham for his work “and the civility that came with it”. “You can proudly look back on your time in public life with a sense of satisfaction,” said Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris. CEO of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, Mr Sean Gordon, said: “Your absence on Council will be a real loss to the community Bob, especially the Aboriginal community, whom you’ve been a great advocate for, over many years.”
Mr Mike Campbell, who has been a campaigner against the Wallarah 2 coal mine said: “You have been an outstanding representative of the Coast for decades. “Despite differences between parties and organisations, and extraordinary challenges, you have ridden over that and supported worthy programs and people as you saw fit.”
Source: Media statements, Jul 20-22 Bob Graham, former Wyong Mayor