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Cr. George Thomas Gahan | |
|---|---|
 Mayor George Gahan in 1965 with First Lady of Prahran Janet Irene Gahan née Sheppard, Herald & Weekly Times Limited portrait collection | |
| Born | 21 July 1912 Inglewood, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 24 June 1980 (aged 67) |
| Resting place | Springvale Botanical Cemetery |
| Title | Mayor of Prahran |
| Term | 1965-1966, 1970-1971 |
| Political party | Labor Party, Independent |
| Board member of | Victorian Amateur Boxing Association |
Cr. George Tomas Gahan JP (21 July 1912 – 24 June 1980) was an Australian politician and Victorian amateur boxer. He was born in Inglewood, Victoria to Benjamin Edward Gahan and Emma Gahan née Walker. The Gahan family later moved to the Melbourne suburb of Prahran where George became a building contractor.[1] At a young age George began training as an amateur boxer. In his mid 30s Gahan attempted to join the Australian Army and defend his country in World War II.[2] Despite being rejected by army due to a duodenal ulcer, Gahan applied a second time, only be to turned away again.[2] This tenacious streak proved to be a valuable attribute as George again turned his focus towards amateur boxing, winning a Yarraville boxing competition and in 1949 in the final of the Welter division was beaten by the Australian champion Bill Seewitz. George had his last fight at 42 years of age when he was stopped in the 2nd round by his opponent 20 years his junior.[2] George's tenacity and fighting talent soon shifted from the boxing ring to the political arena, becoming known as Prahran's George the Giant Killer.[3] From 1957 to 1959, George Gahan was the president of the Prahran-South Yarra branch of the Helping Hand League of Victoria; now known as Inclusion Melbourne.[4]
- ^ "Contractor's Misfortune". The Argus. Melbourne. 9 November 1935. p. 28.
- ^ a b c "Grandpa Goes Down Fighting". The Argus. 20 August 1952. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ^ Farrall, Lois (1992). The File on Fred: A Biography of Fred Farrall. High Leigh Publishing Company. p. 187. ISBN 0-646-10981-2.
- ^ Watson, Andrea (2003). Breaking Wishbones: The story of Gawith Villa. Hybrid Publishers. p. 25. ISBN 1876462280.