Parham OAM Graham (Kanga) Dudley

**Fast Facts**
Type of person	Individual

Congratulations of receiving the OAM on Australia Day 2013. Graham has commenced writing out his life history and we look forward to receiving it soon.

GRAHAM ‘KANGA’ PARHAM OAM

A HORSEMAN FOR THE PEOPLE

Devoting a virtual lifetime of accomplishments towards the progression of equestrian sport within Australia.

As a young man growing up in the South Australian town of Gawler, Graham developed the skills of an all round horseman, so much so, in addition to his distinguished career as a rider and show jumping competitor, and being short listed for the 1956 Olympic Equestrian Team, Graham was given a role in the 1950’s film “Kangaroo”, and thereby stuck with the nick name “Kanga”.

However, Graham’s vision went far beyond these accomplishments. It has been as a visionary, teacher, administrator, coupled with his positive and often forceful approach to creating things for the better within equestrian sport, that he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the 2013 Australia Day Honours.

Some of these accomplishments include:

• Founder of the initial horse trials/three day event in South Australia in Gawler in 1959. Continuing until 1996 and encompassed the World Eventing Championships in 1986

• Founder/Instructor and Manager of the Naracoorte Young Riders Event, now known as the Naracoorte Horse Trials

• Initiated the Trans Tasman Young Riders Competition

• Over 30 years involvement with the Gawler Show, holding the positions of President, Vice President and Convenor of the Horses in Action Section

• Was instrumental in bringing the prestigious F.E.I. World Cup Qualifier for the Asia Pacific Region to the Gawler Show

• Chief Instructor Pony Club Association of South Australia

• Appointed by the F.E.I. (Federation Equestrian International) as a Technical Delegate, Course Designer and Chief Steward for F.E.I. Olympic Qualifying Events

• A Chief Technical Officer (Equestrian Sport) Sydney Olympic Games

• In his role as F.E.I. Technical Delegate, Course Designer and Chief Steward Graham officiated at many overseas events, including the Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Three Day Events in Kentucky USA, Luhmelen, Germany and in England at Badminton, Burley and Gatcombe Park Horse Trials

• However, having been awarded world wide recognition I am sure Kanga is so very proud of his Life Memberships of the Pony Club Association of South Australia, the Naracoorte Horse Trials and the Gawler Show Society

Graham “Kanga” Parham OAM a true horseman for the people.

Compiled by Peter A Jones

Please click here for photos of Graham Parham.