2016 State Government of Victoria Service to Victorian Community Sport and Recreation
George Halkias - Football

George has been involved in community sport, recreation and sport for development in Victoria and nationally for more than 15 years and his work has impacted the lives of thousands of people. His involvement has brought sport to many Victorians who otherwise faced huge barriers to participation and challenges to their health and well-being. In 2004 George co-founded the Big Issue street soccer program, for which he and another staff member volunteered their time to run weekly sessions in Fitzroy’s public housing estates. The goal was to engage homeless and marginalised people, including those with mental health and substance abuse issues. In addition to coaching the weekly training sessions, George successfully sourced funding and coordinated Australia’s first ever representative team at the Homeless World Cup in Edinburgh in 2005.

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