Geelong multicultural organisation Cultura has announced outgoing chief executive Joy Leggo’s successor.
Peter Birkett will officially step into Cultura’s top job on Monday, August 4, with Ms Leggo staying on for the first two weeks of his tenure to provide a smooth transition.
Mr Birkett joins the not-for-profit organisation following a five-year tenure as chief executive of Assisi Aged Care in Melbourne’s north-east.
He has served as chief executive of Winchelsea’s Hesse Rural Health and has a previous connection to Cultura through his time on the board of Multicultural Aged Care Services (MACS), which merged with Diversitat to form Cultura in 2022.
Cultura board chair Gillian Costa said Mr Birkett would be a great asset to the organisation, bringing a wealth of experience in health and aged care leadership and familiarity with multicultural services.
“His familiarity with our organisation and commitment to culturally inclusive care and services makes him exceptionally well placed to lead Cultura into its next chapter,” she said.
“We are thrilled to have Peter onboard and believe he will be a great fit with our organisation.”
Mr Birkett has a professional background in healthcare and banking and has held an honorary appointment as a Senior Adjunct Lecturer with La Trobe University in recognition of his contributions to international aged care research.
Ms Costa acknowledged the appointment came with mixed emotions.
“Whilst we are thrilled to have Peter onboard, we are also bidding farewell to our esteemed friend and colleague, Joy Leggo, who has been instrumental in shaping the new entity of Cultura, leading the complex merger of Diversitat and MACS in 2021,” she said.
“For over 30 years, Joy has championed the expansion of care and support services to the diverse, multicultural sector in Geelong. Joy has been a driving force behind supporting an inclusive, engaged and harmonious multicultural Victoria.
“It’s not every day you meet someone as extraordinary as Joy. She truly is a force to be reckoned with and we will miss her creativity, loyalty, passion and bravery as a leader.
“The Cultura Board looks forward to the new appointment and watching Peter apply his leadership experience to strengthen and expand his contribution to multicultural communities in new and diverse ways.”
