General News
23 March, 2026
Horsham's nurse appointed in state committee
Horsham-based registered nurse and board director Arun Thomas has joined the Victorian Government’s expanded Multicultural Health Advisory Committee, where he plans to push for stronger regional representation in statewide health policy.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas recently appointed Mr Thomas to the committee as part of the Victorian Government’s effort to build a more inclusive health system for Victorians from all backgrounds and language communities.
Although the committee will advise on multicultural health issues across the state, Mr Thomas said he wants to make sure regional communities such as Horsham and the broader Wimmera are not overlooked.
“There was a profound sense of pride and a gratitude so deep it is hard to articulate,” he said.
“I felt a deep sense of responsibility towards this state and toward every mentor, colleague, and patient who has shaped my journey as a nurse.”
Mr Thomas said the appointment carried both personal and professional meaning.
“My appointment to this committee is not just a personal milestone, as it is also a reflection of the guidance and support I have received from the Victorian community over the years,” he said.
Having lived in Horsham since 2016, Mr Thomas said regional experience would shape the perspective he brings to the state table.
“For me, this appointment is about making sure the reality of regional life is actually considered when health policies are being made in Melbourne,” he said.
He said his role would focus on turning local communities’ experiences into practical policy outcomes.
“This role gives me a chance to take those local, grassroots experiences and share them at a state level to benefit all Victorians,” he said.
Mr Thomas, who has worked as a registered nurse and also served as a board director at Stawell Regional Health, said his background gave him insight into both front-line care and governance.
“As a registered nurse, I quickly learned that being clinically competent is only half the battle, and the other half is being culturally navigable,” he said.
He said good healthcare depended not only on clinical skill, but also on whether patients felt respected and understood.
“You can provide the best medical and nursing care in the world, but if a patient doesn’t feel seen or understood because of their heritage, culture or language, the system has effectively failed them,” he said.
Mr Thomas said his governance experience strengthened his understanding of how leadership decisions affect patient care in regional settings.
“My goal is to bring a ‘Boardroom to Bedside’ lens to the state level to ensure that when health policy is designed in Melbourne, it remains practical, safe, and respectful for those of us living in regional Victoria,” he said.
He believes multicultural health remains especially important in regional communities, where trust often determines whether people seek help.
“In a regional community, healthcare is built entirely on the foundation of trust,” he said.
Mr Thomas said barriers facing multicultural communities often go beyond language and include mental health pressures, cultural misunderstanding and over-reliance on family members as informal interpreters.
“One of the most significant yet overlooked issues is the quiet toll on mental health for first-generation migrants,” he said.
Mr Thomas said his approach is shaped by his own evolution from an international student arriving in 2008 to a health leader today.
He believes the perspective of those who have navigated the system from the outside is a vital asset for modern healthcare.
“I remember the uncertainty of trying to find my place in a new country, and I’ve realised that the very perspective I once thought made me an outsider is exactly what allows me to serve as an effective advocate today,” he said.
Mr Thomas sees his priority as fostering a model of ‘co-design,’ in which regional and rural insights are embedded in state health policy from the first draft.
“This appointment is about ensuring regional Victoria acts as a vital partner in building the architecture of our health system,” he said.
“By integrating grassroots experiences early in the process, we can shape policies that are practical and effective for every multicultural community in Victoria, regardless of their postcode.”
Mr Thomas noted that barriers for multicultural communities extend beyond language to include mental health pressures and the loss of professional identity during resettlement.
He emphasised that addressing these complexities requires a system that treats local grassroots organisations as essential ‘knowledge partners’ who hold vital community trust.
“Success happens when we listen to local leaders to understand a community’s cultural and spiritual framework before we design a service,” he said.
“This isn’t just about social inclusion; it is a fundamental requirement for clinical safety.”
His message for the wider Wimmera community is simple.
“My message to the community is that your unique heritage and culture are an asset to this state rather than a hurdle to overcome,” he said.