The Greek community of Victoria have dug deep into their pockets and donated over $270,000 for Fronditha Care.
An all time record was set for the annual 3XY Radio radiothon, with the aged care organisation collecting over $205,000 over the two-day drive, while generous single donations from prominent members of the community boosted the total.
The radiothon aimed to raise money not just for the organisation as a whole, but for the expensive new Thornbury development of Anesi.
The $18 million Anesi development that was officially opened last Saturday will cater to 90 new residents and will add to the 30 already being cared for next door in the Thornbury Fronditha base.
At the packed event, hundreds came along to tour the new facilities which will be welcoming its first residents in about a month’s time.
The three-level giant looked on as it was formally blessed by Reverend Evmenios and Fathers’ Vasilios Kourtesis and John Thagaris.
Fronditha President Mike Zafiropoulos couldn’t contain his praise for the new development and the maturity of the organisation he’s been a part of for decades.
“This is the largest project ever undertaken by Fronditha Care in its 36 year history,” he told hundreds in the crowd.
“This building embodies the Fronditha Care Board of Directors long-standing vision and commitment to expand our services in order to respond to the increasing needs of our elderly here in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne.”
Both the Prime Minster and the Opposition leader championed the new privately built facility in their letters of congratulations and pointed to the need for more culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) services for the elderly.
Both Minister for Health and Ageing David Davis and the Federal Minister for Batman Martin Ferguson attending the opening. All mentioned the great need that Fronditha has filled in the CALD community and the new changing demographic in Australia.
Between 2011 and 2026, Australia’s population of older persons from CALD backgrounds is expected to increase by over 40 per cent. It is projected that by 2026, one in four Australians aged 80 and over will be from a CALD background.
CEO George Lekakis said the development was the largest and most expensive project undertaken by a not-for-profit Greek organisation in Australia, and revealed it was only possible with the donations of the community.
Singled out in the ceremony were five generous benefactors of the Anesi development. Mr A. Andrianopoulos, Mr N. Andrianakos, Mr A. Vitou, The Stamoulis Family, and Mr S. Aggelodimou all received keys to open the new building and cut the ribbon.
Mr Andrew Andrianopoulos received the platinum key with his donation of $25,000.
But it was the staggering $1.8 million donation from the Michael Constantine Krizos bequest that got the most applause.
Dr Constantine Krizos’ son, Michael, a strong believer in Fronditha, left in his will the huge amount to honour his family’s work in the Greek community and see the elderly receive the best care possible.
Joined by all the dignitaries of the Greek community, including the Greek Ambassador to Canberra, Haris Dafaranos, GOCMV President Bill Papastergiadis, AGWS President George Spiliotis and countless parliamentarians, volunteers and staff, the show of support was staggering.
Even before the first residents are taken to their rooms, work is underway to refurbish the existing Anesi, and the Clayton premises.
And with a purpose built tiny eklisaki (shrine) watching over the new development and its residents, nothing has been left to chance.