GV Health psychiatrist Associate Professor Dr Ravi Bhat AM has been recognised as one of the first-ever Rural Champions by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), honouring his long-standing commitment to mental health care in rural communities.
Since moving to Shepparton from India in 1999, Dr Bhat has played a pivotal role in strengthening mental health services and fostering a sustainable rural workforce. He is one of just two psychiatrists nationally to be appointed as an inaugural Rural Champion under the RANZCP’s initiative, which aims to address workforce shortages in regional psychiatry and promote rural training and retention.
Reflecting on his move to Shepparton, Dr Bhat said the local community made the transition smooth for his young family.
“The community here has been extraordinarily kind; in the first year, we experienced many acts of generosity from complete strangers,” he said.
“Being a part of a strong, supportive community is what motivates me the most, both personally and professionally.”
Dr Bhat has contributed extensively to psychiatric research, including studies on delirium in older adults, suicide, and mental health service delivery in rural areas. He emphasises the importance of rural training for medical students and junior doctors, highlighting that strong community connections encourage trainees to stay, ultimately building a sustainable rural workforce.
In recognition of his service, Dr Bhat was also named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the general division, honouring his significant contributions to medicine and rural psychiatry. “I feel very honoured,” he said.
“It’s gratifying that working in a rural area has been recognised, which I think is more important than anything… and we continue to work to improve health for our rural communities.”
Dr Bhat praised his colleagues for their commitment to staying in Shepparton. “Once people decide it’s worth staying here, then you can make a bigger difference in mental health services and move forward,” he said.
He also highlighted the disparity in mental health support across rural Australia, where about one-third of Australians live, but only a fraction of psychiatrists and mental health nurses serve.
“There is a big gap between the impact of mental illness and the availability of helping professionals,” he said.
Beyond healthcare, Dr Bhat is an active member of the Shepparton community, serving on the board of Goulburn Valley Grammar School, supporting local arts, and participating in theatre initiatives.
“I hope this recognition shows that you don’t have to work in Melbourne or Sydney to achieve good outcomes — you can make a real difference working rurally,” he said.
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