Herbert Ernst Graham

Herb Graham was born and raised in Narrogin in the Western Australian wheat belt. He was employed as a cadet draftsman with the Department of Lands and Surveys in 1928 and was promoted to first class draftsman in 1941. He had joined the Australian Labor Party in 1929.

Herb went on to have a long career in State politics, becoming minister for both housing and forests in 1953, taking over the transport portfolio in 1956. He was the deputy Premier in the J.T Tonkin government, and minister for industrial development. Herb Graham resigned from parliament in 1973.

Herb Graham had close connections to the Italian community, learning to speak fluently, becoming a life member of the Western Australia Italian Club, being appointed an officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. He was patron to several sporting clubs including the Osborne Park bowling club. He passed away in Stirling in 1982.