By Afraa Kori
Despite the strong line up, Hills powerful duo, David and Julia Graham earned the 2025 Citizen of the Year.
They were celebrated at Cardinia Shire Council’s Australia Day awards held at Cardinia Cultural Centre on January 23.
Graham and Julia have a lifelong commitment to volunteering, having been actively involved in various community groups, schools, and sporting clubs, driven by their desire to give back to the community.
Graham and Julia felt strongly that a food bank was needed in their area, which was lacking at the time.
“We had no idea how we would get the food or whether it’d work or not. But it was obviously something that God put on us to do and he blessed it ever since,” Julia said.
Julia and David have led the Cockatoo Community Foodbank at St Luke’s for six years, supporting over 80 people weekly. They’ve expanded services to include shower and laundry facilities for those experiencing homelessness and crisis support during peak times. They also bring holiday cheer with annual Christmas hampers for families in the hills. Their dedication and advocacy have made a significant impact, ensuring everyone feels supported and valued.
“Operating out of a church, we like to think we’re demonstrating Jesus’ love for everybody in the fact that we open the doors and we welcome everybody in. We don’t turn anybody away ever,” Julia said.
“We like to think we give them more than just food. We give them love as well. The people who come to us are in a very difficult place at the moment and just like to be a light shining in their day.”
The feedback from the community has been the highlight which Graham recalls a 60 year old man expressing the genuine love he received.
“The client said to us ‘I’ve never had anybody love me as much as you guys do. I have never had so much care given to me in my whole life from what I’ve had here.”
Graham wants people to recognise that the community needs them and that there’s always an opportunity to get involved and make a difference.
“Find something you are passionate about and volunteer for it. If it’s not there, start it up,” he said.
“Everybody’s got a skill to give and everybody’s got something to give back. Whether it be doing somebody’s lawn, giving someone a listening ear or just helping people fill out forms. I do believe he gives everybody gifts that they can use to help others. You can also volunteer and you can get a lot of reward back for volunteering as well.”
Beacon Hills Ward Cr Brett Owen said The Citizen of the Year plays a key role in leading and inspiring others to act, to work together and bring about genuine change in the lives of people within our community.
“This award places a spotlight on the generous people of our community that are often working away behind the scenes, leading and inspiring, entertaining and coordinating and planning and action.”
