EXCLUSIVE
Lifelong Penrith Panthers fan Peter Graham was there in person to watch the club’s very first home game against the Newtown Jets back in 1967.
50 years later the now respected businessman’s passion for the club has gone full circle after he was recently appointed to the Panthers Rugby League Club Board and Group Board.
Mr Graham’s extensive resume will be a huge asset to the Panthers Board, which is headed by Chairman Dave O’Neill.
The long-time Emu Plains and Leonay local was once CEO of electrical company Pacific Power, and also spent six years as Director of Group Operations at Fairfax.
For three years he held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the University of New South Wales, as well as Chairman and Director of Western Sydney University College.
These days Mr Graham operates a portfolio consulting business, whose clients include various universities, IT development companies, media and engineering businesses.
Speaking with Extra Time, Mr Graham said it was a privilege to be adding Director of Panthers Rugby League Club to his decorated CV.
“My wife and I have been long term residents of the Penrith area, so we have a real commitment to our community,” he said.
“While Panthers is a really good football club, it’s also much more than that – it’s a powerhouse for our whole region.”
Mr Graham said he was interested in bringing both football and community together on the Board.
“I’m certainly interested in football but I’m also interested in community development and growth, and that was my main reason for wanting to join the Board,” he said.
Along with his extensive professional career, Mr Graham has also been a great supporter of many community activities.
He was the President of Nepean High School’s P&C for five years, as well as the founding member and Executive of the Emu Plains Little Athletics Club.
Mr Graham was also a member of the Board of Uniting Care and Director of Emu Plains Sports Club.
Recently, he was involved with Panthers on the Prowl as a mentor for their ‘Building Young Men’ Program for local Year 10 students.
“My wife Bez and I have been local residents for over 40 years and have raised our four daughters in the area,” he said.
“We have been loyal supporters of the Panthers since attending the first home game together back in 1967.
“We have been members of the club for many years, and season ticket holders for over 20 years.”
Mr Graham was officially appointed to the Panthers Board last Friday, July 1.
He will sit first his Panthers Board meeting later this month.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.