Carindale charity worker George Kambouris remembered after death

A man who overcame the odds and did whatever he could to help others – that’s how a beloved Brisbane charity worker has been remembered after his death.

Living on Wheels founder George Kambouris. Photographer: Russell Brown.

Tributes have flowed in for a Brisbane charity worker who overcame the odds and did whatever he could to help others, despite facing obstacle after obstacle himself.

Carindale resident George Kambouris passed away earlier this week, sparking those who knew him to praise his contribution to the community.

Mr Kambouris, who grew up in Buranda before moving to Carindale, was born with spina bifida.

His family was told he would be lucky to make it to the age of 25 but in true battler style he lived until 59.

His sporting achievements were legendary — representing Australia in powerlifting in which he was ranked first in Queensland.

He was second in Australia for handcycling and won medals in swimming, track, and basketball.

In 2000, he was inducted into the Greek Australia Hall of Fame for powerlifting.

Living on Wheels founder George Kambouris. Picture: Russell Brown.

Later in his life turned his attention to dedicating his time to help others.

He focused on supporting the 1200km for Kids – a cycling fundraising event spanning from Sydney to Brisbane – to raise funds for the Children’s Hospitals in Brisbane and Sydney.

George Kambouris runs the Living on Wheels program at Carindale PCYC to help young people get used to life in a wheelchair. Picture: Renae Droop

Even when he could not ride the entire distance, he participated as a support vehicle volunteer.

He also founded Living on Wheels, a platform which allowed him to share his expertise of living with a disability.

The program allowed participants to interact and learn valuable life skills to support disabled children in their day-to-day tasks and sporting pursuits.

His brother, Stacy Kambouris, said he would be remembered for the amount of help he gave to others.

“His support of many causes, and his passion for life is what he’ll be remembered for,” he said.

George Kambouris. Picture: 1200km for Kids Facebook

“He touched the hearts of many and even those who doubted how long he would live. He was strong in all aspects of life.

“Life didn’t deal George a full house, but he made the best of every situation he was in and every life-battling illness he overcame.

“There are too many, as every day I think of different times and how he was always there to help us.

George Kambouris. Picture: 1200km for Kids Facebook

“As kids, George would be there to pick us up from school, take us places and help my parents who worked full-time in their own business. He would always be smiling.

“By all the messages we have received, he will be missed by many people as they all had their own memories of George and the great person he was.

“We already miss him and will continue to do so.

“We walk into his house and expect to see him smiling and saying hello, but we know he is in a better place now, a place of no pain.”

Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association when they started paracycling at Murarrie to help people with disabilities. George Kambouris (chairman of Qld paracycling committee) with Maxwell and Anthony Shearer and Jordan and Andrew Carroll. Picture: Renae Droop

After his death, people across communities in Queensland and NSW paid tribute to Mr Kambouris, including the charity event he loved and supported for so many years.

“George was a stalwart of the 1200kms for kids charity bike ride for over 15 years,” a spokesman for the 1200km for Kids said.

“Either as a rider, showing us all up on his handcycle, or as part of the support crew making sure everyone had enough water, food or encouragement (he was there).

“George showed everyone what true passion looked like for helping others, never using his wheelchair as an excuse, actually more often than not he’d use it as joke after a couple of beers ‘If I really liked you I’d stand up’.

“George had a great affinity with the kids when we would tour the children’s wards during a 1200km For Kids ride.

“He was there talking to them and you could see in their eyes that they could do anything, just like this big-hearted smiling Greek guy in a wheelchair with so much ‘ability’.”

Mr Kambouris will be remembered at a service on May 9 at Greek Orthodox Church, the Dormition of the Theotokos at Mount Gravatt East.