Dr. Ravin Sadhai OAM has been recognised for his significant contributions to community health through innovative initiatives aimed at making medical care more accessible. Celebrated on Australia Day, his work includes the establishment of the “Pub Clinic” and the “Ladies Lounge,” which aim to engage local residents in health discussions in a relaxed and informal environment.
The Pub Clinic, launched in 2008, reflects Dr. Sadhai’s understanding of the barriers men face when seeking medical advice. Observing a concerning trend of men in their forties and fifties passing away without regular check-ups, he sought to create a more approachable setting. “Most blokes don’t generally listen to what you say if you simply sit them down and force them to listen,” Dr. Sadhai explains. “In the Pub Clinic, we don’t have PowerPoint presentations – it’s just a casual gathering where we can have a beer and a chat.” This initiative, held in the Victorian town of Bacchus Marsh, where he has practiced for over 20 years, has witnessed a substantial increase in participation, with nearly 130 attendees at the latest event in 2025.
Attendees of the Pub Clinic benefit from health screenings, including blood pressure and sugar level tests, in addition to discussions about their health with various specialists. Dr. Sadhai notes that anecdotal evidence suggests a rise in male patients returning to their general practitioners for regular check-ups as a result of this initiative.
In response to the success of the Pub Clinic, Dr. Sadhai launched the Ladies Lounge, which focuses on women’s health issues. This sister initiative aims to provide a similar platform for women to engage with healthcare professionals in a familiar setting.
Dr. Sadhai’s commitment to community health began long before these initiatives. In 2005, he became a medic for the Bacchus Marsh Football Club, later working with the Victorian Football League. “To this day, I am still in touch with many of those players I met a good 15 years ago. Some of them still come and see me for their check-ups,” he shares, reflecting on the lasting relationships formed through his work.
While he enjoys the camaraderie of sports medicine, it is his experience in palliative care that Dr. Sadhai finds most fulfilling. “As a GP, most of our interactions with patients are transactional. But in palliative care, you very quickly develop a deep understanding of your patients,” he remarks. “It is a privilege and an honour to take care of patients in that context.”
Receiving the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) serves as a tribute not only to Dr. Sadhai’s professional accomplishments but also to the influence of his late father, Dr. Jay Sadhai. Arriving in Australia from South Africa in 1977, Dr. Jay Sadhai dedicated his life to serving the Bacchus Marsh community while actively opposing apartheid. “He’s the biggest inspiration in my life, not only in terms of how he worked but also in terms of what he did for his community,” Dr. Sadhai emphasises.
The legacy of Dr. Jay Sadhai continues through the initiatives spearheaded by his son, contributing to stronger community bonds and improved health outcomes in Bacchus Marsh. Dr. Sadhai’s work exemplifies how personal history and professional dedication can intertwine to create lasting impact in a community.
Through the Pub Clinic and the Ladies Lounge, Dr. Ravin Sadhai OAM not only addresses health concerns but also fosters relationships that extend beyond medical consultations, ultimately strengthening the fabric of the Bacchus Marsh community.
