He’s a popular face, or maybe more voice around Armadale and now Graham Sampson has another reason to celebrate.
The passionate community organiser has just finished his second term as president of the Rotary Club of Armadale as well as one of the busiest years the group has had in recent memory.
It’s an opportune time to reflect while he continues to look forward to the work Rotary aims to do in Armadale in the future.
“It’s been a great experience as it always is,” he said.
“We’re really at that point I think where we’re involved in the community a whole lot.
“Even the NAIDOC event we were down there cooking and it was a great opportunity to get involved in so many other things.
“You know we have conversations with people and then you hear about someone else in the community who needs help.
“Then you talk to someone who talks to someone and before you know it there’s this whole event organised to help them out.
“That’s why I do it and that’s what drives me.”
The past year has seen Rotary take part in a number of activities in Armadale including the Armadale Youth Intervention Partnership, a group project aimed at breaking down the causes of criminal activity on the streets.
They were also involved in the City of Armadale’s Night Fields program, a six-week commitment that cemented relationships with the younger network of personnel from local organisations wanting to make Armadale an inclusive community.
On top of all this Mr Sampson has been at the forefront of establishing the Armadale Men’s Shed and continues to be a favourite on Heritage FM.
Try to remind him of that though and he responds humbly.
“It’s not just about me it’s about the work we can do as a group,” he said.
“One of the biggest achievements for me has been our involvement in the schools and the work we’ve done there.
“We are now linked to intervention and support people at a range of schools.
“To me this is the most important thing because as people who want to make a positive change that’s where we have to start.
“Us old guys who have time on our hands the best thing we can do is go into those places where young people are struggling and guide and support them.”
