THIHAN CHANDRAMOHAN
I’ve called Richmond home since 2016, though I’ve been based in the City of Yarra for nearly twenty years while traveling the world as a physiotherapist for domestic and international cricket teams. Every time I return to Richmond, affectionately known as "the island" by locals, I’m reminded of why I love this area—the diverse community, vibrant food scene, proximity to the city, and easy access to both the coast and the countryside. Richmond is more than just a place to live; it’s a place to connect.
As a child of immigrants from Sri Lanka and Malaysia, I was born and raised in London, England, until my family immigrated to Melbourne more than 30 years ago. My father was an IT project manager and my mother a nurse and growing up in the northeastern suburbs of Melbourne, my siblings and I attended local public schools and participated in community activities like cricket and martial arts before I completed my physiotherapy studies at the University of Melbourne. These experiences shaped my belief that being Australian means that every opportunity is available to us through hard work, helping others, and supporting family and community.
Earlier this year, after a motorbike collided with me and left me convalescing at home with a broken leg, I re-engaged with the local community and realised how disconnected our current Council had become from the people it serves. Conversations with residents highlighted concerns about the Council’s lack of transparency, poor governance, and inability to meet the community’s needs. This drove me to run for Council, determined to make a change.
With twenty years of experience as a physiotherapist, including fifteen years working in professional sport, I’ve spent my career collaborating, problem-solving, and leading teams to achieve results.
My role was to align players, coaches, and administrators with a common goal—skills that are essential for effective governance. I believe the Council must work in a collaborative way to improve services, ensure fiscal responsibility, and make decisions that truly benefit the community.
I am running for local government with no political affiliations because I believe in representing the people of Richmond and Yarra, not political interests. Transparency is central to my campaign. I believe the Council should be proactive, not reactive, in engaging with residents. I plan to advocate for regular forums, including online options, to gather input from a wide range of voices, particularly from underrepresented groups in the community.
I don’t believe we need to reinvent the wheel. We can learn from other councils that have successfully addressed issues like transparency and efficiency. I am eager to bring these proven solutions to Yarra and make governance more effective for our community.
I am not running for Council with political ambitions. I am here to represent the people of Richmond and Yarra, ensuring that their needs are heard and acted upon. I want to make local government more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the community’s needs.
