“I owe Big Brother everything”

When 26 year old David Graham came out on national television in primetime television in 2006, it was a ‘twist’ most of his Big Brother housemates had not seen coming.

Nor had many members of his own family. But it still lingers as one of the most defining moments in both the show’s history and LGBTQI television in Australia.

16 years later, 42 year old ‘Farmer Dave’ is still just as likeable, but now on another mission. He hopes to bring attention to his youth based NSW charity, RuffTrack.

“Last time around it was to try and get in to people’s lounge rooms and convince them that gay people are nothing to be scared of. We’re everywhere, let us be and let us get on with it. So that worked,” he tells TV Tonight.

“This time around it’s to change people’s perception of teenagers”

“This time around it’s to change people’s perception of teenagers and get them to realise that a lot of these young fellas off on the wrong track, do have a place. We need to bring them back in and encourage them. Rather than punish them we need to reward them.

“We need to look at a future where we get rid of this ridiculous 250 year old mind set of incarcerating people if they do something wrong. We need to rehabilitate and understand that teenagers make stupid choices. We were all teenagers once, we all made stupid choices. If you mix in extreme poverty and lack of good leadership from parents you’re going to get a kid who ends up in prison.

“97% of kids that end up in prison are teenagers who will end up as adults in prison, and that’s just not right.”

Graham also accepted an invitation to return to the Big Brother house after some 18 months of the pandemic. While Reality TV is not exactly a holiday, it managed to serve as the next best thing.

“I just needed a bloody break after two years of COVID and working seven days a week without a single break. I couldn’t take days off because I had these vulnerable kids that were going through absolute hell during lockdown. Multiple families in small housing situations.. you can imagine all the violence, the drug issues and everything that was going on. I had kids with me seven days a week. It was intense. So when the idea of going into a house for a few weeks came up, I thought, ‘There is my holiday!'”

“They were all out to get me!”

Graham joins returning Big Brother housemates including Reggie Bird, Tim Dormer, Estelle Landy, Trevor Butler, Tully Smyth, Anthony Drew, Layla Subritzky. They will collide with new housemates, many of whom watched them in 10 and Nine seasons.

According to Graham, it’s a serious contest from the get go.

“Oh my goodness, the newbies! I think it’s a testament to how we bring up young people. These millennials!

“It was just so exciting to hang with young, super empowered, super confident, young people. It was just really awesome. Even though they were all out to get me!” he laughs.

“But I loved it. I loved connecting with the old housemates Trevor, Tim…. and Reggie and I are the best mates. We’re peas in a pod.”

At 26 Big Brother changed David Graham’s life. It wasn’t hard for him to say ‘yes’ to producers, if it helps him bring awareness to RuffTrack.

“I got everything I wanted in life. Big Brother was the absolute catalyst for everything. I’ve got my own children. I help guide teenagers. I’ve got the farm, I’ve got the dogs. I’ve got the wonderful, wonderful family. I’ve got an amazing career. I just don’t have the husband,” he admits.

“How can you say no when the show that gave me such empowerment?”

“But how can you say no when the show that gave me such empowerment, self confidence and complete validation to who I am as a person? I owe Big Brother everything. It’s given me all the strength that I use every day.

“It’s a TV show for the public but when you’re in it, and you experience it, it develops you as a human being in ways that are inexplicable.”

Big Brother screens 7:30pm Monday – Wednesday on Seven.