Jason Thomas lives in Melbourne with his wife, Fiona, and three children, Alexander, Sophie and Amelia.
Jason was born in Wollongong, NSW and in 1996 completed his Masters of Arts (with Distinction) at Otago University, New Zealand.
On graduation Jason became a campaign strategist and advisor to senior political figures in New Zealand and then the House of Commons and House of Lords, London.
Most recently, he was the Regional Manager for a USAID implementing partner in Afghanistan. His AO covered Wardak, Logar and Ghazni with around 85 staff and a USD13M budget. The program was part of the US-ISAF counterinsurgency operations. The responsibility involved establishing the operational infrastructure, overseeing four compounds, including the regional centre in Kabul. He operated alongside Coalition Forces, regularly briefed Commanders and US military.
In 2009 Jason negotiated entry into the Sri Lanka after negotiating entry to the high security zones in Sri Lanka. This followed working in the civil war area since establishing one of the largest private responses to the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. In 2008 he was appointed to the International Advisory Council for the Foundation for Coexistence (FCE) in Sri Lanka. FCE is an organisation that specialises in human security, early warning monitoring systems and conflict resolution.
His skills and experience in conflict zones, negotiating with senior levels of foreign governments, assessing safety and security as well as maintaining constructive relationships within dangerous environments. During his time in London as Senior Corporate Sale Managers for Six Continents Hotel Group he was responsible for re-developeding relationships with Middle Eastern Embassies after September 11 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Negotiating within difficult civilian and military environments after major natural disasters and civil war means he is resourceful, compassionate and undeterred by set-backs. A track record of leading people in the community to overcome challenges and driving change that improves people’s lives, has been well recognised.
Jason was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2005 for his efforts in initiating a Sri Lankan post-tsunami relief effort. So far Jason has delivered $3m of medical equipment to the civil war area in Sri Lanka. In 2006 he was a Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay Runner and was nominated for Boroondara City Council Citizen of the Year.
Jason is an honorary member of the Australian Medical Aid Foundation and former Director of Foundation Boroondara, a community philanthropic organisation. Jason is a member of the Australian 39th Battalion Infantry Association and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
In 2008 he established a program to take youth at risk up the Kokoda Track with the support of the Hawthorn Football Club, the Victorian Police, the YMCA and Foundation Boroondara. It is now an annual project that has been adopted by the YMCA.