Honouring Brother Graham Pittaway OAM
It has finally happened! After much work, on Friday the 8th August 2025, the unnamed Australian bush Park at the corner of Benara Road and Maxwell Street was finally recognised as “Pittaway Park”. Many of you would remember our late Brother Graham Pittaway who was an active Brother throughout Province 20.
Now a little about the late Graham Pittaway. Many older Brothers will remember him a founder Brother of the Dianella Circle, when it was inaugurated in November 1984. Until his death in January 2023, he had been a much respected and loyal Brother for over 38 years.
Over the years, Graham was heavily involved in both Circle and Province 20 management and served as Provincial President in 1991/92 and several Dianella Council positions including two terms (four years) being the Dianella Circle President for the last time in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
Graham was a parishioner at Infant Jesus Church in Morley, contributed as an Acolyte, member of the Parish Council for many years and especially as Chairman of the Committee that planned and managed the visit of the relics of St Therese of Lisieux in 2002. He and his wife, Helen had four sons (Patrick, Anthony, Daniel and Michael), and his last family home was a welcoming place located in Sherbrooke Heights Noranda.
Outside his work as a busy businessman in the Printing industry, and Parish and Catenian life, Graham was involved with many other community organisations, including several terms (11 years) as a Councillor for the North Ward of the City of Bayswater. Prior to this time, he was a Director, Vice President and life member of the West Perth Football Club and President of the Speech and Hearing Centre for deaf children for many years.
Locally his massive contribution was to the Eagles Baseball Club, Chisholm Catholic College in Bedford and the Osborne Park Agricultural Society.
Unfortunately, when someone of Graham’s character is no longer actively with us, we likely remember them with fondness and should always try to identify their work contribution and respect in the local community.
On that basis, in 2024, with the assistance of Councillor Sally Palmer and sons, Anthony and Patrick Pittaway, lobbying began to achieve the required recognition for all the good work, Graham achieved within the community. After several alternative options were assessed, agreement was finally reached with all parties to proceed to name the previous unnamed park in Noranda to become Pittaway Park. Graham’s last family home is just around the corner.
On the morning of the 8th August 2025, the beautiful plaque as shown on the photo was unveiled in front of family members, invited guests, a past Mayor and Councillors, friends and neighbours. The current Mayor of the City of Bayswater, Filomena Piffaretti, commenced proceedings with a short message about Graham’s contribution, then followed by another message from Councillor Sally Palmer a close friend of Graham and finally a closing message of thanks to all from his son, Anthony, on behalf of the entire Pittaway family.
Many in attendance then relocated to the Morley/Noranda Recreation Club for a light lunch generously provided by the City of Bayswater.
I thank all involved with this wonderful project, and if you are ever driving down Benara Road, Noranda, please take time to appreciate the thanks from the community to our late Brother, Graham Pittaway.
Lou Daily
