General News
26 June, 2026
Overseas work recognised
ONE Camperdown resident has been recognised for contributing to Timor-Leste recently, having been presented with a Timor-Leste Medal of Merit during a recent trip to the country.
Andy Graham returned from Timor-Leste last Friday and was among 20 other people who were presented the medal by Timor-Leste president José Ramos-Horta.
The Timor-Leste Medal of Merit is awarded to national or foreign people who have played a role in stabilizing the country, supporting reconciliation or contributing to operational, advisory or supportive efforts.
Mr Graham said he began travelling to the country through Rotary back in 2005 to use his plumbing skills to assist in providing access to safe water.
“I had 18 trips before COVID hit – this was my first trip back since the pandemic,” he said.
“Close to 2500 people have got fresh water through the times we’ve been over.
“I haven’t always been over by myself – I’ve taken other plumbers with me, but I’ve been the main instigator.
“It’s been 22 years since it first started.”
Mr Graham was presented his medal at a celebration of a new church in the mountains of East Timor, having been nominated by someone who he’s worked with over the years.
He said he was proud to be recognised.
“You don’t do it for the medal,” Mr Graham said.
“You do it for the people, but the medal is a nice way of saying thank you.
“My family’s proud of what I’ve done.
“My wife’s quite proud of me – she was over with me on this trip.
“She’s been over there a couple of times. I wouldn’t be able to do it without here – we used to have a business, and she’d chip in and run the business while I was away.”
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