"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers." Nelson Mandela
Michael Gallus has been a teacher at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School for 22 years. He is also a junior football and cricket coach and a father of 3. If that's not enough to occupy his time, he decided to set up Footys4All about 5 years ago.
Footys4All is a volunteer not-for-profit children's sporting foundation which supplies new footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, etc to disadvantaged, underprivileged or socially displaced children around Australia and across the world free of charge. They distribute balls through existing registered community, sporting educational and charity organisations.
They have ambassadors from all walks of life including Michael Long (ex-AFL player), Barry Denner (Triple M Footy), Terry Wilson (children's author) and Joffa Corfe, the renowned Collingwood cheer-squad leader who experienced tough times as a child. Board members include some of the most prominent Australians including Dr Nathan Grills and Professor Patrick McGorry.
Michael has been to many remote areas of Australia to hand out balls and to teach the kids the basic skills. He believes that the benefits are immeasurable but there is a marked improvement in general health and attendance at school.
He has also ventured to other countries. On one occasion, when he was in East Timor, he handed a ball to a boy who then said something in his native tongue. When he asked what the boy said, they responded that he said "Thankyou" but what was so amazing to them was that he hadn't spoken in years.
In 2015, Michael was one of 9 recipients of an Australian of the Year award for his services to sport. Among the other recipients was Neale Daniher.
At the end of his presentation, Michael presented a football to a delighted exchange student, Andrea, who will take it home to Denmark.
