Resthaven scholarship leads Arun Thomas to create meaningful change for older people

In 2012, Arun Thomas was selected as a recipient of the inaugural Resthaven 75th Anniversary Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship – a moment that left him overwhelmed and inspired.

‘At the time, I was an international student from India,’’ Arun says. ‘Financial survival was a constant background noise – distracting, stressful, and always present.’

‘The scholarship (valued at $10,000 over two years) eased that pressure in a real and immediate way. It gave me breathing space – not just to study, but to excel.’

And excel Arun has, going from bedside care to boardroom advocacy, specialising in dementia care, clinical governance, safety and quality, infection prevention and control, and emergency response in aged care.

In 2018, he received the Victorian Statewide Aged Care Leadership Award (Public Sector Residential Aged Care), affirming his commitment to excellence in aged care, followed by The Regional & Rural Health Achiever Award (Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria) in 2019. That same year, he was also named the Victorian Young Achiever of the Year.

In 2022, he was presented with The Global Nursing Leadership Award (Institute of Health and Nursing Australia) acknowledging his work with Aspen Medical supporting aged care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘The scholarship was the spark that lit the fire,’ Arun says. ‘It gave me more than money – it gave me belief. It instilled confidence at a time when I was still finding my feet in a new country. It validated my passion for aged care nursing and set me on a path of purpose.’

Arun is grateful for the foundation that Resthaven provided, on top of which he has built a career grounded in purpose, service, compassion and advocacy – brick by brick.

‘The most profound impact of the Resthaven scholarship was psychological,’ Arun says. ‘As an international student, I had grown accustomed to seeing scholarship opportunities marked “domestic students only”. Each exclusion reinforced a subtle message of otherness, of not quite belonging.’

‘Then came Resthaven’s scholarship – explicitly welcoming international student applicants, valuing diversity of perspective, recognising that excellence knows no borders.’

‘This scholarship reminded me why I had travelled so far from home – not just for a degree, but for the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in healthcare, particularly for older Australians who deserve nothing less than excellence in their care.’

Since graduating from UniSA, Arun has devoted his career to elevating aged care through service, leadership, and advocacy – transforming the opportunity Resthaven provided into tangible impact across the sector.

‘Beyond the financial support, it was Resthaven’s ongoing motivation and moral support that created an invisible yet lasting foundation for my leadership journey,’ Arun says.

Arun has gone on to complete the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Emerging Nurse Leader Program – Stage 5 and was the recipient of a full scholarship to the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Nurse Executive Leadership Program. He is currently pursuing an MBA (Leadership) at Central Queensland University.

‘The Resthaven scholarship didn’t just help me become a nurse. It helped me become a leader,’ Arun says.

‘As a result, I’ve cared for older Australians during the nation’s most vulnerable times. I’ve helped shape policy and influenced decision-making for the benefit of residents/patients/students/staff as a board director and advisor across several not-for-profit/public/private boards in the areas of health, education, student representation and charity organisations.’

Arun has also demonstrated his commitment to equity and leadership by establishing the Arun Thomas ATSI Leadership Scholarship at the University of South Australia – a ‘giving back’ initiative that supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who showed exceptional leadership potential and community dedication.

Rooted in the same values that inspired this initiative, Arun continues to advocate for educational access and leadership development among Indigenous and emerging healthcare leaders. Further reflecting this commitment, he has donated $10,000 to the Australian College of Nursing Foundation’s Bullwinkel Scholars Program, enabling 21 leadership scholarships and supporting the next generation of nursing leaders.

Most recently, Arun was honoured by Charles Darwin University who appointed him an Honorary University Fellow, recognising his leadership, board governance and mentoring contributions to healthcare.

‘Each role, recognition, and mentorship opportunity forms part of my cohesive mission: to elevate aged care, champion dignity, and illuminate the path for others – continuing the legacy of support that Resthaven initiated in my own journey,’ Arun says.

‘Aged care isn’t a stepping stone – it’s a destination in its own right. For those seeking genuine connection, holistic care practice, and authentic leadership development, aged care offers a unique professional landscape. You won’t just practice nursing – you’ll connect, listen and walk alongside people in their most vulnerable moments.’

‘In aged care, I discovered a professional environment where meaningful presence matters more than procedural pace, where small gestures of dignity carry more significance than technical interventions, where my decisions daily impact not just clinical outcomes but human dignity.’

‘This sector doesn’t demand perfection – it invites presence, curiosity, and heart-centred leadership. If you’re willing to bring these qualities to your practice, aged care won’t merely shape your professional skills – it will profoundly influence your character, perspective, and capacity to create meaningful change.’

‘Aged care embraced me as an international student seeking to contribute meaningfully to Australian healthcare. My future is dedicated to reciprocating that embrace – boldly advocating for excellence, consistently modelling compassionate leadership, and unapologetically challenging the status quo when it falls short of what our older Australians deserve.’

‘The scholarship Resthaven provided wasn’t merely financial support – it was an investment in possibility. My continuing aspiration is to maximise the return on that investment through transformational leadership that honours Resthaven’s faith in me while creating pathways for others to discover their own potential and thrive in this vital, rewarding field.’

Looking ahead, Arun is focused on reshaping aged care into a sector of choice – advocating for compassionate leadership, policy reform, and inclusive practice to ensure that residents and their dignity remain at the centre of every decision.

Congratulations on all you have achieved Arun! Resthaven is proud to have played a (small) part in your excellence.

Click here to find out more about Resthaven-sponsored scholarships