Wednesday, 5 February 2025

 David HODGETT (Croydon) (09:44): It is with great sadness that I rise today to pay my respects to Graham Woolley, a wonderful member of my local community. Graham passed away on 25 ‍December 2024, and I was privileged to attend his memorial on Friday 10 January 2025 at Club Kilsyth.

Graham was a valuable and loyal member of the Croydon Probus Club since January 2011. He held many positions over this time, including general committee member, audiovisual officer, club photographer and website creator and administrator. As audiovisual officer, Graham looked after the club’s technology, which included applying for grant funding to purchase computers, speakers and screens. On the club’s 35th birthday in 2019 Graham produced a DVD that recorded the history of the club through photographs at various events. In 2018 Graham became the newsletter editor, a job that he undertook with the help of his wife Betty right up to his passing. Both Graham and Betty were determined that this January 2025 newsletter would show his lasting commitment to and achievement for the Croydon Probus Club.

Graham had a close relationship with my electorate office staff over many years, coming into my office to pick up his printed newsletters and have a chat with my staff. He regularly went out of his way to hand-deliver copies of the newsletter to members not connected to email. He always went above and beyond to help anyone who needed information, advice or help. My deepest condolences to his wife Betty, their two children and his three grandchildren. Graham made a positive impact in our community and will be sorely missed.