Remembering Graham Einfeld OAM
Graham served on the Board of Wolper Jewish Hospital for over 20 years, including as Honorary Treasurer 1994 -2004, and President 2004 – 2009.
During his time as Treasurer, Graham not only ensured the Hospital ran efficiently and strengthened its financial base, he was instrumental in working with management and the Board to develop a clear vision for Wolper’s involvement in community health. A number of programs were initiated during this time including the Tay Sachs program (now part of the Wolper Jewish Hospital Community Genetics Program) and Wellbeing seminars. These two programs continue to this day and are highly successful. In 1998 Graham oversaw the transfer to Wolper of the services of the recently closed Scottish Hospital. This included its Rehabilitation Unit. This proved to be the future for Wolper and two years later, the Rehabilitation Unit was expanded and a new hydrotherapy pool was built. Later he was instrumental in the difficult decision to close Wolper’s unprofitable surgical theatres and to sub-lease them.
Graham was elected President in 2004 and by 2008 the operating theatre leases were terminated and that space was used to accommodate a state of the art physiotherapy gym. The hydrotherapy pool was enlarged and all wards were converted to private rooms with ensuites. In 2007 he said, “Demand for rehabilitation services was growing strongly and with an ageing population it became apparent that the Hospital would need to provide more space to service this growing need. It also became clear that inpatients preferred the privacy of individual, self-contained rooms which we incorporated into the refurbishment plans.”
Also during this period, Graham established the Community Partnership Committee and fostered such initiatives as Gift of Life Australia, and support of Hatzolah and Camp Sababa.
Having fulfilled his 5 year term as President, Graham served as Immediate Past President for two years from 2009. His outstanding service to Wolper was acknowledged in 2014 with his appointment as Honorary Life Governor. Graham was an important contributor to the establishment of the Wolper Jewish Hospital Health Foundation that same year and served as a founding Trustee Director.
Speaking of Graham, Richard Glass, President of Wolper, stated that “Graham was a talented, committed and honourable man – a real mensch – who gave so much of himself and expected nothing in return. A true quiet achiever. Those of us who were fortunate enough to work closely with him were the beneficiaries of his wise counsel and measured approach. He was a giant of the community, a true gentleman and much loved. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on.”
Graham Einfeld OAM with fellow Wolper Presidents:
L to R Murray Landis 1999–2004, Graham Einfeld OAM 2004–2009, Daniel Goulburn OAM 2014–2019, Dr David Golovsky AM 2009–2014, Mr Richard Glass 2019-present
