A stitch above the rest – Fronditha Care laundry worker receives highest accolade at Staff Awards

A dedicated laundry worker, who regularly stays at least an hour after her shift to sit and chat with the elderly residents and mend their clothes, has taken out the Outstanding Contribution Award this year at Fronditha Care’s annual Staff Awards.

Magda Karasavidis, who has worked at the 60-bed THALPORI residential aged care facility in St Albans for 11 years, was given the accolade on Friday 7 June 2019 at Vogue Ballroom.

Nominated by THALPORI’s Manager of Residential Care Sue Donaldson, Magda was visibly teary, emotional and humbled at the recognition.

“It makes me so happy. I get so much joy from the smiles of our residents. It literally fills me up as a human,” she said.

“I give my time to the Pappous and Yiayias, I learn so much from them. I stay long past my shift because I love it. From the bottom of my heart, I consider Fronditha Care as my second family.”

Marking his last Staff Awards before his departure, Fronditha Care CEO George Lekakis AO, congratulated the staff for their spirit and hard work.

He spoke from the heart about the importance of embodying leadership qualities, and implored the staff to continue refining their own leadership skills in the future.

“Working for Fronditha Care has been an ambition and a vision fulfilled,” he said.

Mr Lekakis AO has led the now 700 strong workforce over eight years and leaves a lasting legacy to the staff and volunteers.

The awards also acknowledged staff for their years of service, from five years all the way up to 35 years.

A further 39 employees received service excellence awards and safety awards for their work.

President Faye Spiteri also congratulated the efforts of all staff members, saying “you all make up who we are, do so many things exceptionally well and make a significant impact each and every day.”

Fronditha Care is a not-for-profit organisation providing aged care services to approximately 1000 people every week. More than 700 people in Victoria and NSW are employed by the charity.

Aged care is one of the largest service industries in Australia and makes up around three per cent of the Australian workforce.