Character Insights

Antony Coote AM

Proprietor

Mulloon Creek
Natural Farms

Richard Graham is a man I am proud to support as a councilor for Pallerang Shire. He brings important skills to the governance of the Shire which are embedded in his long and successful experience as both Chairman and Chief Executive of a large Australian based international company. These may be summarized as follows:

• Financial management and responsibility
• Clear understanding of who the stakeholders are (in this case, ratepayers, staff, suppliers and State Government)
• Customer attention and service delivery
• Efficiency
• Organisational structure and meetings’ protocol
• Ability to relate, from common experience, to the challenges the General Manager and staff have to deal with daily

Richard is also committed to the rebuilding of the farming base of the Shire and pioneering new enterprises to cope with impending climate change.

He also has a strong interest in connecting the community with the environment which we are stewarding for our children and grandchildren.

Fran Hernon

Corporate Affairs Mgr.
Nestlé Australia Limited

I have worked closely with Richard Graham for eight years as an independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of the publicly listed company Infomedia, of which Richard is the major shareholder and Chairman.
 
Richard actively sought out gender diversity on his Board and he has been generous in sharing his knowledge and experience as a successful businessman. He is an effective Chairman and unfailingly respectful, even when, on occasion, my point of view differs from his. Richard works hard to achieve consensus on the Board and is careful that everyone's opinions are heard and weighed equally.
 
I have a very high opinion of Richard's intelligence and his ability to bring a different view to our discussions. I know how deeply he cares about the rural environment and I have no doubt he will bring his passion and commitment to the council, for the betterment of ratepayers. 

Linda Graham-McCann

Richard has been a part of my life for almost 30 years. We immigrated to Australia together, built financial security together, raised a son together and despite our divorce, Richard has also given heaps of support to my extended family too.

Richard is a self-made individual who has created his success through unique insight, undeterred focus and fostering good people. He's not a lightweight, not easily fooled and has demonstrated a deep commitment to working on the land and being part of the community in Palerang Shire.

He has fresh, innovative ideas as well as the capacity to see things through to completion - qualities that would make a huge contribution to the sustainability and amenity of the area.

As a former resident of the Shire, I believe Richard's initiatives would bring long term prosperity and strengthen community bonds and I wish him all the best in his bid for a Councillor seat.

Dr. Peter Gwozdecky

Barrister at Law
Doctor of Chiropractic

I met Richard Graham in 1980 when he attended my clinic as a patient.  I immediately recognised a man of substance and integrity. Throughout the last 28 years, my initial judgment about Richard's character has been confirmed. 

Consistent with that, Richard is a man of action and has a real sense of responsibility and understands that if you take on responsibility you need to back it up with action not just talk. 
 
Richard is extraordinary and has done some extraordinary things in life and in business.   He has demonstrated great leadership and a vision far superior to most people in his business and personal life.   I have heard Richard talk of visionary ideas over the years many of which at the time I thought were far fetched only to discover a few years later that he actually accomplished the task and that he was spot on.
 
Richard's personal qualities toward his employees over the years are legendary. He has a very enlightened philosophy towards employees and the people who have worked with him.  Many have commented to me about how Richard gave them the space and freedom to work and develop themselves in areas which they were most interested. His foresight in seeing the encouragement of employees' self-development as a critical foundation to successful management and company team-building was revolutionary. As a result of these personal qualities, he is much trusted and respected by his colleagues.

I have also had the pleasure of representing Richard in my capacity as a barrister.  It is a rare occurrence in this field to have a client who is more motivated by a sense of fairness than personal gain.
 
Your local government area is fortunate to have a Richard Graham living locally and that he is prepared to commit his time and skills to work representing Palerang.  I think Richard would be an extraordinary benefit to your local government if elected.