"FOOTY'S4ALL - Starting Local Going Global"
 
That's the statement on the brochure we were given at lunch to introduce our guest speaker Michael Gallus.

How do you summarise and do justice to a presentation so full of energy and enthusiasm about the positive good brought about by giving disadvantaged, under-privileged and/or socially displaced children around Australia and across the world the opportunity to "play ball" so to speak.

Michael cited the Nelson Mandela noted quote, "Sport has the power to change the world". That quote in full goes on to say "Sport can create hope where once there was only despair...... It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination".
 
Michael's day job is as a teacher at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School. Three years ago and with obvious passion, he developed the desire to make a positive change to the world in some way that revolved around sport and education. This vision to help kids in need led to the establishment of the "FOOTY's4ALL Foundation" to distribute balls from all codes (football, basketball, soccer etc) free of charge to those kids.
 
The Foundation is funded by donation - $10.00 buys a ball. It is  enthusiastically supported by such groups as TNT, Nissan Essendon and Ross Faulkner sporting goods to name but a few and boasts a list of ambassadors that includes Michael Long, Professor Pat McGorry and Terry Wallace - the list goes on.
 The State Government is in discussion with Michael about lending its support.

All work in visiting schools, Youth Institutions, remote indigenous communities and wherever else is necessary is done by volunteers. One such volunteer is Eleanore Banadinovich who was with us for lunch and spoke briefly about her passion for helping Michael in this cause.                                                         
 
Eleanore is also the proud Mum of Eric Bana, the actor who portrayed
"Chopper" in the film of the same name.
 
If we were to summarise Michael's philosophy it can be part explained in the question that he raised himself at our meeting - "why do we do what we do?" Answer, "because it is the right thing to do!"

Michael finished his presentation by presenting a basketball to Jill Weeks and a Faulkner football to President Chris together with various printed works - the balls were then successfully auctioned by Simon O'Donoghue as treasured mementos of the meeting.