A tradition of love and care
We are a leading not-for-profit organisation with a mission to provide older Victorians, their families and carers with a full range of quality community-based services and residential homes and apartments.
Our History
In 1977, leaders of the Greek community in Melbourne, identifying a gap in culturally appropriate care, founded a service to care for elders. They were especially focused on ensuring those who had no financial means had access to services and supports to be respectfully cared for in their third age and remain socially connected.
Fronditha Care’s first residential aged care facility was established in 1983 in Clayton Victoria. The organisation progressively grew its services with facilities and 40 independent living units at St Albans in 1996, Thornbury in 1997 and Templestowe in 2005.
In 2011, Fronditha Care in partnership with the Hippocrates Australian Greek Aged Persons Association, expanded its operations beyond Victoria with the launch of a facility in Newcastle, New South Wales.
In parallel to growing residential services Fronditha Care expanded its provision of support to assist Greek community elders who wished to age in place. The Community Services team was established in 1994 providing in home care assistance to the elderly has grown significantly to include social support groups and respite care programs providing a continuum of care.
An integral part of Fronditha Care is its volunteer corps. From the first ladies’ auxiliary, which formed in the 1980’s to raise funds for the establishment of the Clayton facility, to the hundreds of selfless individuals who across many years have generously contributed their time, volunteers have given their heart and soul to the elderly in our care. Our volunteer base has provided immeasurable support enabling Fronditha Care to extend its work and critical services further than it otherwise would.
With a rich tradition of love and care, today the Fronditha Care Bounty of Care ethos drives the organisation to excel in the provision of cultural, spiritual and health needs of the elderly.
Today, Fronditha Care embraces a culturally rich environment that inspires celebration, fosters belonging and enhances wellbeing for over 1500 elders in our care, our over 700 staff, our 200 plus volunteers and our 200 members.
Fronditha Care Values
Respect
It is a fundamental human right. The cornerstone of everything we are. By understanding and appreciating individual cultural, spiritual and emotional needs we build deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Do Right
Ethically, socially and financially we hold ourselves to higher standards. Do right is our mantra. It guides us to always do what’s best for our elders, our company and our community. Open, honest and fair we work together to be exemplary, never compromising our beliefs.
Bring Joy
Life’s moments must be cherished, celebrated and enjoyed. Through rituals, gestures and events we continue to bring optimism, light and joy striving everyday to create dear memories.
We realise the importance of these magic moments on everyone’s wellbeing.
Inspire Better
Everyday is an exciting learning experience that makes us better. We continually explore ways to improve our services and advance quality of care to our elders, their families and our community.
Board of Directors
Dr. Stella Laletas
President, Board Chair
BA, DipEd, GDiP (Psych), PGDip (Psych) MPych (Developmental & Educational Psychology)
Dr Stella Laletas is the President and Board Chair of Fronditha Care Read more
Dr Stella Laletas is the President and Board Chair of Fronditha Care. She was previously Chair of the Clinical Governance Committee. Dr Laletas joined the Fronditha Care Board in 2020. She has a PhD in psychology with specialist knowledge in lifespan psychology.
Dr Laletas currently holds a tenured position at Monash University and is a lecturer and researcher in psychology and counselling. She has over 20 years’ experience in various executive and leadership roles in the early childhood and education sectors.
As a Director within the early childhood sector, Dr Laletas engaged in the compliance of governance and accreditation processes at local, state and federal levels.
Kostas Livadaras
Treasurer, Chair FRAC Committee
Mr Kostas Livadaras joined the Fronditha Care Board in 2020 Read more
Mr Kostas Livadaras joined the Fronditha Care Board in 2020, and in June 2021 was appointed Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Risk and Audit Committee.
Mr Livadaras is the Managing Partner of a Public Accounting and Financial Advisory Practice ‘Stantins’ and has over 25 years of experience in finance and strategy across a range of diversified industries including the Medical and Aged Care Sector. As a public accountant he oversees several businesses where he provides financial, merger acquisition and growth strategy advice.
Mr Livadaras has a deep understanding of compliance and corporate governance, has held roles and advised businesses as a non-executive director to their board and as a member of finance and related committees.
Jim Babalis
Director
LLB, BA (Hons), Law
Jim is an accomplished employment law expert with extensive experience in workplace relations Read more
Jim is an accomplished employment law expert with extensive experience in workplace relations, insurance (including employment practices liability, directors and officers liability, and professional indemnity), and workcover/comcare matters. He has worked in a variety of roles in Government, Private Practice, Insurance and Health and he regularly shares his knowledge to employer groups and human resources managers on employment and industrial relations issues.
Jim also provides advice on representation and regular business support to employer clients in a wide variety of employment and industrial relations matters, including defending and resolving dismissal, discrimination and general protections claims, advising representing employers in union disputes and advising on disciplinary procedures, post-employment restraints, redundancies, workcover and enterprise bargaining.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Relations from La Trobe University and is a member of both the Law Institute of Victoria and the Australian Insurance Law Association.
Dr Paki Rizakis
Director
I was born in Australia of Greek heritage and trained as a medical doctor in Melbourne. I have a Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practice and a teaching Associateship with Monash University. For the past fifteen years my clinical work has focussed on Aged Care where I act as on-site clinician, serve as medical representative on boards affiliated with aged care and contribute to publications relating to medical issues in aged care.
I am committed to providing high quality care to all my patients in a holistic and culturally- sensitive manner and always being very respectful of their expectations. I am also committed to working collaboratively with all members of staff to ensure that our services meet the highest standard of care.
Ageing is a very challenging process for the individual and for those caring for them. Working as a team with open communication and respect for each other makes the experience beneficial for the recipient and rewarding for the providers of care.
Executive Management Team
Faye Spiteri OAM
CEO
An accomplished strategist Faye has extensive experience in executive leadership roles across government Read more
An accomplished strategist Faye has extensive experience in executive leadership roles across government, corporate and for purpose sectors.
In February 2021, she was appointed CEO of Fronditha Care – a leading provider of aged care services and is committed to building on the legacy of the organisation in provision of care to the Greek and broader Australian community. She was also the first female President and Board Chair of the organisation and ended her 9-year tenure in 2019.
Her areas of expertise include aged care, cultural and religious diversity, gender parity, social justice, access and equity and social cohesion.
Passionate about achieving better social outcomes driven by genuine collaboration and engagement, in 2021 she was recognised with a Medal of the Order (OAM) for her contribution to driving social change and inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll for Women as a Change Agent in 2019.
John Stamoulis
CFO
John is a CPA-qualified accountant with substantial experience in both the private and public sectors, Read more
John is a CPA-qualified accountant with substantial experience in both the private and public sectors, where he has implemented best-practice financial management systems to support enhanced commercial performance in the highly regulated Aged Care and Hospital and Healthcare industries.
In the past, he has driven business transformation and revenue optimisation programs as Executive Manager of Corporate Services for Ramsay Health, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Bureau of Meteorology. In his later capacity, he led a finance transformation program, actively developing systems, processes and people capability and receiving recognition from the Australian National Audit Office for industry better practice.
As Director of Finance for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDI), he collaborated with cross-functional colleagues in a highly dynamic and adaptive environment to administer the $22 billion government-funded scheme while developing controls and governance frameworks for sustainable service delivery and sound fiscal performance.
Prior to joining Fronditha Care, he was CFO at the Australian Institute of Family Services, where he served as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Team to develop and execute a program of business transformation and performance turnaround, which has delivered 10% year-on-year revenue growth.
Jim Scantsonihas
Executive GM Residential Services
As GM of Residential Services, Jim oversees the five residential care facilities located in the Melbourne Read more
As GM of Residential Services, Jim oversees the five residential care facilities located in the Melbourne Metropolitan area and in Newcastle NSW. He has managed the expansion of ANESI residential care in Thornbury, the construction of HIPPOCRATES in Newcastle and the redevelopment of Fronditha Care’s Clayton facilities, STEYI, PRONIA and GALINI. He is heavily involved in the upgrade of Fronditha Care’s corporate property in Mulgrave and the construction of a new 92 bed nursing home in St. Albans.
He has over 25 years of experience in the aged care sector, across both residential aged care and community services. He has worked in both the public and not-for-profit sector.
Penny Hobson
Executive GM Community Services
Penny joins Fronditha Care with a long history in the aged care industry and over 30 years in the health Read more
Penny joins Fronditha Care with a long history in the aged care industry and over 30 years in the health and community services sector. She has extensive experience in executive management roles; most recently this includes previous positions at Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) and Blue Cross Community and Residential Care as senior and executive manager, respectively.
Penny’s professional interests are in leadership, culture, quality and the client experiences. Penny is committed to meeting the needs of consumers; ensuring operational processes deliver an optimal consumer journey and building and maintaining a culture of high performance
Penny is eager to participate in Fronditha Care’s continued growth and success and in particular support the needs of the CALD community.
Helen Christo
Executive GM People & Culture
Helen joined Fronditha Care in February 2023 as the EGM People & Culture. The P&C team delivers talent Read more
Helen joined Fronditha Care in February 2023 as the EGM People & Culture. The P&C team delivers talent acquisition, learning & development, employee relations and health, safety & wellbeing solutions, and support. With over 25 years demonstrated experience working across multiple industries, Helen’s operational and strategic focus, coupled with her consultative and collaborative approach, ensures the team delivers high quality outcomes for our employees and clients.