FORMER Altona councillor and two-time mayor David Graham recalls a rather unorthodox welcome for the Prince and Princess of Wales on their visit to a local commission housing estate in the 1980s.
The Altona resident, who has received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community, spent about 10 minutes entertaining Charles and Diana in his first mayoral term during 16 years on council.
The royal couple had come to officially open units in nearby Maidstone Street.
“All the people in the commission areas were told that they were not allowed outside their door unless they went round with the crowds,” Mr Graham said.
“As we were walking past, there were two old alcoholics in their unit with the flywire door and they held a stubby up and said, ‘Come on Charlie, come and have a beer with us.’
“He was lovely; he went over and talked to them.”
Mr Graham was president of the Rotary Club of Footscray from 1988-89 and responsible for the formation of the Rotary Club of Maribyrnong Highpoint in the early 90s. He is a founding and life member of the Probus Club of Footscray.
As principal of Footscray North Primary School from 1976-94, he was involved in the development of the Footscray Society for the Aged by negotiating a land swap in the 1980s. He was also a founding member of Footscray Emergency Teachers Replacement Scheme.
Inaugural chairman of the Hobsons Bay Community Advancement Co-operative since 1997, Mr Graham was chairman of the Altona Community Hospital board of directors for more than 12 years.
He’s an elder and chairman of the Altona-Trinity Uniting Church congregation, founding member of the Presbyterian Church of Altona in the 50s, and life member of the Hobsons Bay Altona and Footscray YMCA garden clubs.
