In his first week as Fronditha Care CEO, George Lekakis has been overwhelmed with support and encouragement received by the community, the compassion shown by staff and the courage shown by residents, reaffirming his decision to take on the top job.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” Lekakis told Neos Kosmos of his first week as CEO. “I have been overwhelmed by the goodwill and the compassion that I have witnessed in the staff towards our residents, and the people we care for in the community.

“I must admit, I get very emotional when I am in contact directly with the residents, their frailty, but yet their spirit is uplifting.” Lekakis took over from retired CEO Penni Michael, who in her four-and-a-half years at Fronditha Care made significant changes and allowed Fronditha to become one of the most efficient and effective service providers in the CALD aged care industry, leaving Lekakis with big boots to fill.

Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Fronditha Care, Mike Zafiropoulos, said that “Penni Michael performed in an excellent way so the expectations (were) great”.

Zafiropoulos said Fronditha Care were looking for a new CEO who had the capacity to manage 300 staff, understood government relations, understood aged care, understood government relations and someone who, importantly, was concerned and empathised with the Greek community. Lekakis fit the bill.

Well known to the Greek community for all his work, Lekakis has held various senior positions in the Victorian government, most notably as chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission for nine years. With a background in social work and nursing, he is well equipped to show great sensitivity and compassion to caring for the elderly Greek community.

Zafiropoulos said that Lekakis’s “reputation is an excellent guarantee that he will be able to contribute to Fronditha immensely”.

“He comes with an excellent record, both in community involvement with migrant resource centres and government administration, for more than a decade. He is well connected and well respected not only within the Greek community, but the broader CALD and Australian community in general.”

“I was extremely proud that they selected me”, said Lekakis about his role as CEO.

“My view is, with all the skills and knowledge that I have acquired over the years, and also in partnership with the board and the staff and the people that we look after, I will be able to forge a new direction for Fronditha and make a contribution to secure it’s future in the area of aged care, and in particular in the Greek community.”

Alongside the board of Directors, Lekakis is straight to work assessing the needs of the Fronditha community, and as the ageing profile of the Greek community will peak approximately 2025, Lekakis endeavours to have Fronditha in a position to give the very best of care to the elderly.

As for the future, Lekakis looks “forward to presenting with the president of Fronditha the vision for Frondtiha to the community and (he hopes) to engage the community as part of our community consultation schedule next year”.

“We will try to involve all the Greek community in the ongoing building of Fronditha and it’s ability to care for the Greek community for the future.”