Pictured above: Board members Kathryn Brown, Rob Caulfield, Mike Lescai, Graeme Bird, Mary Downie, Peter Condliffe, and Tanya O’Connor (not pictured: Hayley Hunter and Mark Stokes PhD)
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria today celebrated the contributions of Mike Lescai and Graeme Bird, both of whom are completing the maximum term of nine years of service on COTA Victoria’s Board of Governance.
Mike Lescai has been a member of the Board since 2014 and served as its President between November 2017 to November 2021.
Always focused on efficiency and with desire to improve our organisation, Mike has also served on our Executive, Seniors Rights, Finance Audit and Risk, Business Development and Governance advisory committees.
Graeme Bird also joined the Board in 2014 and currently acts as its Deputy President. He is also a member of our Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) Advisory Committee.
Previously serving as Treasurer, Graeme comes armed with extensive experience in the banking and financial sectors and has contributed to our Executive, Finance Audit and Risk, and Business Development committees.
“It’s estimated that Mike has contributed over 3,500 hours – and Graeme, 3,000 hours – to COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria since they started with the Board nine years ago,” said President Robert Caulfield.
“Those figures speak to their dedication and work ethic,” Mr Caulfield continued. “Their experience and leadership have proven invaluable to this organisation.”
“Mike and Graeme will leave COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria in a far better place than they found it,” added CEO Chris Potaris.
“Their distinguished service, targeting efficiency and growth, have helped to form the core of this organisation,” Mr Potaris continued. “As a result of their leadership, COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria will continue to thrive.”
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Further information
Steve Wright
Marketing and Communications Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9655 2159
Email: swright@cotavic.org.au
About us
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For over 70 years, we have led government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing in the state.
Today, our focus is on promoting opportunities for and protecting the legal rights of people 50+. We value ageing and embrace its opportunities for personal growth, contribution, and self-expression. This belief drives benefits to the nation and its states alongside communities, families, and individuals.
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) is the key state-wide service dedicated to advancing the rights of older people and the early intervention into, or prevention of, elder abuse in our community.
SRV has a team of experienced advocates, lawyers, and social workers who provide free information, advice, referral, legal advice, legal casework, and support to older people who are either at risk of or are experiencing elder abuse. SRV supports and empowers older people through the provision of legal advice directly to the older person.
