Arguably one of the most influential Chairs of the Victorian Multicultural Commission since its inception and the longest serving one, Mr George Lekakis AO has left his post after nine years to take up a position with the Department of Business and Innovation as the Executive Director of the International Student Experience.
Talking to Neos Kosmos, Mr Lekakis said it was one of the most rewarding and challenging posts he has held.
He highlighted a range of programs which he was “proud of” such as Cultural Diversity Week, the work in promoting interfaith dialogue, and in assisting Indian students suffering from racial attacks.
He also pointed to the number of communities and festivals which secured support under his stewardship.
“My proudest achievement on reflection must be the establishment Multicultural Act,” said Mr Lekakis.
“Victoria is a state which has a multicultural act carved in stone” Mr Lekakis told Neos Kosmos.
Mr Lekakis also pointed to the bi-partisan support that multicultiralism enjoys in Victoria and congratulated the Baillieu Government and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras, for their “unwilting support of cultural diversity”.
He was less enthusiastic about what he saw as the Federal Government’s “watered down” version of multiculturalism and said that “Victoria stands heads and shoulders above other states on the issue of multiculturalism”.
Announcing the appointment, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras congratulated Mr Lekakis.
“As the longest serving Chair of the Commission, Mr Lekakis is renowned for his passionate commitment to engaging and empowering Victoria’s diverse cultural, linguistic and religious communities,” Mr Kotsiras said.
Since 2001, Mr Lekakis has overseen various programs and events, including Cultural Diversity Week, the Viva Victoria festival, the Awards for Excellence, the Victorian Refugee Recognition Record, and most recently, the International Student Care Service.
Mr Lekakis’ term as Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission concluded on Thursday, at which point he took up his position at the Department of Business and Innovation. In the interim Deputy Chair Mr Hakan Akyol, will serve as Acting Chair of the Commission until a new Chair is appointed.
