After a big 2019, Victorian CAMS official Robert Graham has been nominated for the Victorian Sport Community Official of the Year award.
It’s been a busy year for the 39-year-old, who has spent a lot of time volunteering at his local club, Rover Scout Motorsport – a club focused on developing young drivers.
As well as putting a lot of time into grassroots events, Graham volunteered at a national level too, working as an official at two rounds during the 2019 DEWALT CAMS Australian SXS Championship.
Following the announcement, Graham was thrilled to be nominated for the award.
“It’s definitely a surprise. I wasn’t expecting it at all but it’s an awesome feeling,” Graham said.
“The award would be recognition for the work I have done with Rover Scout Motorsport and doing events like Top Gear Scout which is a program aimed at developing juniors.
“We had 300 kids attend our event in March which was very popular. There we taught them how to drive cars and it was really rewarding because they all really enjoyed themselves.
“There are a lot of people who have helped me along the way. My family, Rover Scout Motorsport and the Top Gear event crew, so a big thanks to them.”
While Halpin ultimately did not win the award, a proud Graham believes the rise in popularity of motorsport and the constant effort put in by officials are the main reasons for the nominations.
“It’s an honour to represent motorsport at these types of awards,” Graham added.
“There may be football, cricket and all these other major sports and sometimes motorsport gets left out of these awards, but it’s good to see we’re being recognised lately.
“I think it would be great for motorsport in general If I was to win this award. But also, for our club and the fact that it gives scouting a pump up. It shows we are still out there, we are still doing things for the kids.
“It’s very humbling to be nominated, let alone to potentially get the win,”
The Victorian Sport Awards take place in the Victory Room at Marvel Stadium on 26 February, 2020.