$1.5 Million Commitment for Fronditha Care’s Vertical Residence in Thornbury

A commitment of $1.5 million was made to charitable aged care provider Fronditha Care from a re-elected Daniel Andrews government last week. Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Families and Children and Mr Robin Scott, Minister for Finance and Multicultural Affairs made the announcement at the organisation’s 120 bed aged are residence in Thornbury.

Fronditha Care is a not-for-profit provider of culturally appropriate residential and community aged care that predominantly services the Greek community throughout metropolitan Melbourne. This commitment signifies the first step towards realising Fronditha Care’s vision of constructing a small village that will offer the full spectrum of aged care support services to Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Ms. Mikakos highlighted the trust that the state government has in Fronditha Care to both design and implement the innovative programs that elderly migrant communities require:

“We are all here to recognise the important role that the organisation plays in supporting the needs of the ageing community, and we need to ensure that we are able to meet future demands and needs. We have been very proud to support Fronditha Care in its long journey right across Victoria and particularly in Thornbury.”

Last month, Fronditha Care received a $250,000 grant from the state Labour government for the development of a community centre in Mulgrave. Mr. George Lekakis AO, CEO of Fronditha Care, expressed his sentiments, “We are very pleased with today’s announcement.” He added, “Our intention is to create a service centre where the elderly will receive a wide range of assistance and support services.”

The new building will be built next to the organisation’s existing aged care residence in Thornbury.

The proposed design concept includes: luxury apartments with all necessary provisions, which will have views of the city; a hydrotherapy pool; a small chapel; medical suites; a cafeteria as a pivotal social setting; a theatre. All of these services will be available and accessible to the 120 residents in the adjoining aged care residence.

In addition, Fronditha Care has submitted an ACAR application for 60 additional CALD aged care beds, in order to expand the existing nursing home into a 180 bed residence.

Mr. Lekakis concluded: “This project requires a large investment and the state government’s commitment is a significant step towards the realisation of this ambitious project. Our organisation, and myself included on a personal level, is aiming to provide a central hub of services that our elderly require. Many of us have lost our parents too soon and this is our opportunity to give back to this treasured group in our community.”

Fronditha Care’s proposed vertical village will cost over $20 million and will be realised in the next few years.