Graham Whittaker – a lifetime of remarkable service

Northern Beaches Citizen of the Year for 2019, Graham Whittaker kicked off his life of voluntary service to others in 1966 as a member of the Royal North Shore Hospital Choir.

The choir, which has been going since 1901, brings hymns to patients’ bedsides when they are too ill to attend Chapel.

Graham, from Cromer, is now not only the hospital’s longest-serving volunteer, but he is choir organiser and lead!

Graham has been an Elder and Marriage Celebrant in a Community Church in Lane Cove for over 40 years, too.

About 19 years ago, after retiring from his career in the General Insurance Industry, Graham was reading a copy of the NRMA Open Road magazine when he came across an article about the need for suicide prevention counsellors. 

That led to him undertaking 12 months of intensive training followed by 15 years working with the Salvation Army as a qualified Youth and General suicide-prevention counsellor. 

So, rather than ‘retiring’, Graham found himself completing day and night shifts, dealing with people at their lowest ebb. 

For the last ten years, Graham has volunteered at Forestville Library, too, one day per month as a Justice of the Peace where he witnesses signatures and authorises documents, providing an invaluable service to the community.

Of course, you might think, after more than half a century of voluntary work, that Graham might want to slow down a bit.

Well, no.

Graham has for the last five years also made himself available to the NSW Police, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, providing support for young people in trouble with the law when they have nobody else to be with them.

"Graham has no connection with these young people except for a genuine desire to provide support to them," says Sarah Batchelor, a Senior Constable at Frenchs Forest Police Station.

Graham is also a regular volunteer at Northern Beaches Police drug burns, accompanying Police to ensure transparency when prohibited drugs are destroyed.

For the past three years, Graham has been mentoring high school students participating in the ‘Raise’ program.

The Raise Foundation is a registered Australian charity which provides mentoring programs for young people in high schools and in the community, putting young people in touch with trustworthy adults.

Together, they work to increase the young person’s confidence and coping skills, “finding their strengths, set and achieve goals and engage in education to provide hope for the future.”

Recently, Graham listened as a youth he had been mentoring said at his Graduation, "Thank you Graham for helping me come to believe in myself."

Touched by the experience, Graham says: "If I have ‘Made a Difference’ in some person’s life, then for me, my commitment has been worthwhile."

“I've always taken an interest in young people and their wellbeing,” he said.

“Some of the youth come from complicated family backgrounds. All they need is someone to listen.”

“I want them to know they can turn their lives around."

Graham is on the board of Directors for Everyman's Welfare services, supporting Australian Defence Force personnel with services providing counselling and recreational opportunities to members of the Military on most Australian bases.

He is also on the Board of Directors of the Winmalee Conference Centre in the Blue Mountains, a residential retreat for all ages, particularly youth. 

Graham says:  "I would encourage everyone, regardless of age to consider becoming involved in voluntary work, for I can assure you that you will find it very gratifying. Volunteering isn't a burden or a chore, it's a way of life."