From service to legacy: One man’s lifelong commitment to community

For Graham, giving back has always been a part of who he is.

Since arriving in Perth from Kenya with his late wife Sandy in 1974, Graham has dedicated his life to community service. He’s volunteered on numerous committees, helped shape Perth’s townscape, supported people into employment and aged housing, and contributed decades of leadership, including through Rotary, both at Club and District Level. In 2021, Graham was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to aged care and the broader community.

Now in retirement, Graham has chosen to extend that legacy by leaving a bequest to the Women and Infants Research Foundation (WIRF).

“It was an easy decision,” Graham said.

“Although I’ve tried to support WIRF through modest donations over the years, being a self-funded retiree limits what I can do. A bequest lets me do something more significant – something lasting.”

Graham’s connection to WIRF began during his wife Sandy’s long and very brave battle with ovarian cancer, through her oncological surgeon, Professor Yee Leung.

“Sandy fought bravely for many years. We had a good life together, and we were very blessed, but it never ceases to amaze me how many people are affected by women’s health issues – by cancer, by premature birth.

“My eldest niece devastatingly lost one of her twin boys at premature childbirth.”

Through Sandy’s journey, Graham became more aware of the work WIRF does – not just in ovarian cancer and women’s health, but in the prevention of preterm birth.

Having also served as a community member on the South Metropolitan Area Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee, Graham already had an interest in medical research.

He has followed the progress of the Foundation ever since.

“What WIRF is doing in the areas of preterm birth and women’s health is globally significant,” he said.

“WIRF’s ability to attract such highly credentialed researchers and collaborators speaks volumes to me in terms of WIRF being an extremely worthy and highly regarded organisation that I am very pleased to support.”

Sandy, too, found a way to contribute to WIRF, knitting beautiful items for the Foundation’s Baby Bundles program – each bundle given to mothers and babies in crisis situations.

Today, Graham continues to support WIRF as a regular donor, but says leaving a bequest in his will is a simple and powerful way to give more.

“If you don’t set it in concrete in your will, the opportunity might pass. Planned giving means that you’ve made that decision while you can, and the impact can live on after you.”

When asked what he hopes his gift will help achieve, Graham doesn’t hesitate.

“A world without premature birth. Where every baby is born as healthy as possible. I know research is a slow, patient process, but I hope it leads to the kind of breakthrough that answers some of the big questions these talented scientists are trying to answer.”

WIRF is deeply grateful to Graham for his generosity, vision, and belief in our mission.

His gift is a powerful reminder that planned giving isn’t just about leaving money – it’s about leaving hope and making an impact on lives for generations to come.

To find out more about leaving a gift in your will to WIRF, please visit our Gift in Will page or contact WIRF Development Manager Kate Miles on 08 6458 1437 or kate.miles@wirf.com.au.