20/03/2026
Today we recognise Harmony Day and the chance to celebrate what makes our community so special, the cultures, backgrounds and experiences that come together at Northeast Health Wangaratta every day.
Leading up to Harmony Day, we spoke to some of our colleagues about their experiences, including Riya, Associate Nurse Unit Manager in our Thomas Hogan Rehabilitation Centre, and John, Associate Nurse Unit Manager in our Medical ward.
Riya shared that working in a diverse team gives her the opportunity to learn from others every day while also sharing her own culture. “Working in a diverse team makes the workplace more supportive and inclusive, and it helps us provide better and more compassionate care to our patients.”
John reflected on the shared purpose that brings teams together. “Despite our differences, we share the same purpose, to care for our patients with compassion and respect.”
Both spoke about how diversity strengthens the way we work. Riya highlighted that understanding different cultural values helps provide more respectful, person-centred care, while John noted that “everyone brings unique experiences and ideas, which improves teamwork and helps us provide more culturally sensitive care.”
They also shared how their own cultural values shape the way they care for others. For Riya, it’s a strong focus on respect, family and kindness. For John, his Filipino background brings a deep sense of family, hospitality and compassion into his work.
This Harmony Day, it’s a reminder that the strength of our health service comes from our people. By valuing different perspectives and learning from one another, we’re not only building a more inclusive workplace, we’re delivering better care for our whole community.
