Gardening guru named ‘Aust Day Ambassador’

Throughout his professional career in garden and ornamental horticulture, and appearances in more than 500 episodes of Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens, Mr Ross has educated, entertained and inspired the gardening community.
But his childhood roots have led him back to Canterbury Bankstown and Graham is looking forward to engaging with residents as their Australia Day Ambassador.
“My father, back in the 50s, started the social welfare department for the NSW Government and he was based at Bankstown Courthouse. My brother studied law and was also based at Bankstown Courthouse,” he said.
“As a child, I was aware of what my brother and father were doing – it gave me a connection with Bankstown and reminded me of my community responsibility.”
With over 20 years inspiring Australia Day events across the nation, Mr Ross is one of the Australia Day Council’s longest serving ambassadors.
“I’m very passionate about the responsibility and there’s an important role for all of the ambassadors to communicate and engage with the public,” he said.
“Australia Day is a time of reflection – to me it’s a time to look back and also look forward with the knowledge of where we’ve come from.”
On the eve of Australia Day, Graham Ross and Mayor Khal Asfour will welcome 25 new Australian Citizens and announce the Australia Day Award recipients.
Join in the celebrations on Thursday, January 26, from 10am-4pm, at the annual Australia Day Pool Parties.
There’ll be a range of family-friendly entertainment, a free sausage sizzle, fun kids activities, Indigenous performances, a live DJ and an inflatable slip ’n’ slide for all to enjoy at Roselands, Canterbury, Max Parker (Revesby) and Birrong Leisure and Aquatic Centres.
Mayor Asfour said celebrating Australia Day meant something different to every one of our residents.
“Whether you were born here, recently settled here or have been living here a little while now, we’re so lucky to call this wonderful country home,” he said.