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John Blewonski – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

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John Blewonski is an expert leader in the community services and not-for-profit sector with over 25 years of experience. He joined MS Plus in November 2018.

John was previously CEO of VincentCare Victoria and VincentCare Community Housing

  • leading VincentCare’s delivery of the Commonwealth Home Care Packages and an NDIS-funded disability employment program
  • CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria
  • Chief operating Officer Anglicare Victoria

John has also held a number of other leadership roles including:

  • Chairman of the Council of Homeless Persons (CHP)
  • Board member of Catholic Social Services Victoria
  • Member of the Victorian Housing Minister’s Homelessness Advisory committee.

Darren Spooner – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

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Darren was appointed Chief Financial Officer in September 2024 and previously held the position of Senior Manager Finance for over four years.

He has over 20 years of finance experience in the private healthcare and community services sectors. His early career commenced in accounting with Healthscope, Vision Eye Institute and later Healthe Care hospital group. He has since led Finance teams in the not-for-profit sector including Stroke Foundation and VincentCare Victoria.

Darren is responsible for leading the broader finance and business services team in supporting MS Plus to deliver its organisational strategy.

Darren holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Bachelor of Computing and is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).

Ben Holgate – Executive Manager Strategic Fundraising

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Ben Holgate is an experienced marketer with creative roots. After starting his career in commercial marketing, he entered the not-for-profit sector in 2011.

He joined MS Plus as the General Manager in Strategic Fundraising in June 2017. He’s a successful artist who’s had work exhibited at several national exhibitions.

Some other career highlights include:

  • leading the establishment of the Plan International global fundraising director’s forum
  • six years as Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Plan International Australia
  • being responsible for a child sponsorship and fundraising portfolio of $28m per annum
  • ten years of experience as a new business specialist
  • directing award-winning TAC road safety campaigns
  • promoting Coca Cola’s Sydney 2000 Olympic Games sponsorship
  • being Director of two of Australia’s most important export businesses: AWB Landmark and IDP Education
  • board member of Circus Oz and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.

Rob McClay – Executive Manager, Strategy and Client Impact

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After twelve years working in clinical rehabilitation, Rob joined MS in March 2007 as a Community Support Worker responsible for delivering case management services to around 500 people living with Multiple Sclerosis. In 2014 Rob took on the role of MS Practice Leader for rural and regional NSW and shortly afterwards metro Sydney as well and was responsible for all client services across NSW.

In May 2016 with the roll out of the NDIS, Rob moved into the Business Development Manager role tasked with developing and then managing all NDIS services being delivered in NSW. After twelve months Rob was appointed to the Senior Manager, NDIS Services role overseeing NDIS services in all jurisdictions. In 2019, Rob was Acting Executive Manager for Mission Services until in 2020 he began in his current role of General Manager, Strategic Projects.

Outside of work Rob is a father to two children and is an avid bushwalker/camper which he combines with his hobby of macro photography.

Kim Farrugia – Company Secretary

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Kim Farrugia joined MS Plus in December 2016 as Executive Officer and Company Secretary. She has extensive experience in governance and administrative support.

Kim has experience across a number of sectors that include:

  • Not For Profit
  • Financial Services
  • Sports Management
  • Marketing

Some other career highlights include:

  • Manager of Executive Services for a leading not-for-profit aged care provider
  • over 25 years of experience supporting boards, committees, and chief executive officers in the not-for-profit sector.

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