Mr George Lekakis has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian community, championing and advancing the cause of multicultural affairs and has been duly recognised for his distinguished service and sector leadership spanning 30 years.
He was of course one of the architects of the multicultural movement in Australia and through his role as the longest serving Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission he led major initiatives which transformed the Victorian socio-cultural landscape and he championed the rights of multicultural communities with tenacity, grit and passion.
And those same qualities are what he bought to the leadership of Fronditha Care.
George came to Fronditha Care when strong leadership was needed the most. Under his stewardship the organisation reconnected to the vision of its founders, contributing deeply to the Greek community. It has moved forward into a modern era of services for the aged with 700 staff, a turnover of $45 million and assets of over $100 million.
George’s leadership has been characterised by tireless efforts to increase the credibility and visibility of the organisation across the aged care sector and provide a true bounty of care for the elderly. His dedication and significant accomplishments – across his career and especially the past eight years – leave an indelible legacy to the Greek Australian community.
Over the past few years, as President and Vice President, I have watched the amazing Fronditha Care community – staff, volunteers, members really come together – work together, nurture and support each other and help grow this unique dynamic organisation where our combined efforts have created a genuine sense of place and home for our beloved elders to live and provide a truly culturally centred model of care.
We thank George for the passion and commitment in building and growing Fronditha Care to what it is today – a truly collaborative innovative and professional organisation and an exemplar – what so many other organisations aspire to be.
There are no words, though, that can express how sincerely grateful I am, and the Board and staff are, for the privilege of working with such an inspiring CEO – a genuine leader.
Fronditha Care is forever changed. That we have gotten to spend this time working with such a strong, kind, humble, compassionate and unstoppably inspiring CEO is a blessing.
We thank George whole heartedly for every single day of the eight years he spent at the helm of Fronditha Care – and for the formidable legacy he leaves us. And of course great blessings to him and his wonderful family in his retirement
So we mark the end of a remarkable eight years of leadership at Fronditha Care and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for the organisation.
I want to note on behalf of the Board our great admiration of the work of our Executive team which will be led for the time being by Mr Jim Scantsonihas in the role of Acting CEO.
As with any organisation there is always the opportunity and potential for growth and our great opportunity, as we look to appoint a new CEO, is taking on the challenge of enhancement in the delivery of culturally specific care to our residents and their families and the broader Greek community.
As one of the most respected providers in we remain committed to our role and to building on the great accomplishments of George.
Faye Spiteri, President
