Former Bathurst resident Leonard Graff has been recognised in the Australia Day Honours List with a Medal of the Order Australia (OAM) for his services to sports administration and to the community.
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Mr Graff, who moved to Bathurst in 1969, now resides in Nelson Bay.
He said he did not know about the award, until he received a letter in the mail.
“It’s quite a surprise, but I’m pleased with it,” he said.
“When I go through the list [of all my achievements], I think, ‘Did I do all that?’”
Mr Graff said he still has strong connections in Bathurst, as he still comes back several times a year for his accounting firm – Graff, Paul & Parnell.
He was involved with the Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) between 1994 to 2004 and has been a life member since 2004.
“WRAS has taken up a lot of my time,” Mr Graff said.
“It has been really enjoyable and the region is going places with the kids representing it.”
When he first came to Bathurst, he was involved with the Bathurst Rugby Union club.
He served as the treasurer, coach and trustee during his time at the club.
Mr Graff was a board member for the Bathurst Harness Racing Club between 1977 to 1994 and president from 1987 to 1994.
He was also the inaugural president of the Bathurst Gold Crown Festival Committee and a committee member from 1984 to 1993.
Mr Graff’s longest service was with the Bathurst Macquarie Lions Club, serving “for more than 40 years”.
He also served in various roles with the Eglinton School Gymkhana, Bathurst Senior Citizens Centre, Elizabeth Chifley Memorial Pre-School and Bathurst Girl Guides.
