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= Jason Thomas (Australian Public Figure) =

Career History
Jason Thomas is a corporate communications and government relations specialist. A former campaign strategist and advisor to senior political figures in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, he was government relations advisor for AWB Limited after which he became the corporate communications manager for one of Australia’s largest healthcare companies. Prior to that Jason managed group public affairs for a major Australian-based pharmaceutical group before establishing his own business SINCLAIR THOMAS and then in November 2008 merged with Three Plus Limited now with 30 employees. Jason has undertaken complex issues management and consultancy for clients in the health, biotechnology, primary products, energy and financial services sectors.

Sri Lanka – delivering medical equipment
In 2005 he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his efforts in initiating one of the largest post-tsunami relief efforts in Victoria. So far Jason has delivered $2m of medical equipment to the civil war area in Sri Lanka. He is the Honorary Board Member for the Australia Medical Aid Foundation focused on rebuilding the health infrastructure and delivering primary health services in the Northern East of Sri Lanka. He was also a 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay Runner.

Community – Kokoda Project
In 2008 Jason launched a project to take youth at risk up the Kokoda track. Football Club, the Victorian Police and the YMCA. The objectives of this project are based on Leadership, Citizenship and Community. This project will be one of the toughest experiences of their lives. However, they will go onto apply want they learnt on the Kokoda track to the rest of their lives. Adopting a Kokoda Veteran from the 39th Battalion Each young participant will adopt a Kokoda veteran from the 39th Battalion. Getting to know what these brave diggers went through on the Kokoda track is one of the most important and meaningful parts of the project. The veterans share their stories and pass on valuable lessons they took away from Kokoda so that the young participants realize they can overcome their own challenges in life back in Melbourne. Teaching Youth at Risk to be entrepreneurs This year we are developing an entrepreneurial program between Melbourne Business School and The Carnegie School. The program will be a pilot with the vision of introducing it to other schools across Australia that take young people at risk. The importance of promoting youth entrepreneurship (particularly amongst youth at risk) lies in the following:


 * Creating employment opportunities for both the self-employed youth and other young people.


 * Bringing back the alienated and marginalized youth into the economic mainstream.


 * Helping address some of the socio-psychological problems and delinquency that arise from joblessness.


 * Promoting innovation and resilience in youth.


 * Promoting the revitalization of the local community.

Young entrepreneurs may be particularly responsive to new economic opportunities and trends. Give young people, especially marginalized youth, a sense of meaning and belonging, and Enterprise helps young people develop new skills and experiences that can be applied to many other challenges in life.

Family
Jason is married to Fiona and has three children Alexander, Sophie and Amelia. Jason was born in Wollongong NSW, growing up in various parts for Australia, including Camberwell, where he attended Canterbury Primary School before moving to New Zealand. Jason graduated with a Masters degree with Distinction in Political Philosophy from the University of Otago, Dunedin where he also met Fiona.