Benetas has appointed a new Board Chairman with a strong background in Victorian Anglican church organisations.

For the past four years, John McKenzie was the General manager and Registrar of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.

Mr McKenzie has been a director of various organisations, including Anglicare Victoria, AAA Tourism, Monash University Accident Research Centre and Assist Australia.

He also held the role of Executive General Manager for RACV, where he oversaw the development of the RACV Club development in Melbourne’s Bourke St.

“John’s robust background in external relations and business development will enable the board to take on the challenges of growing Benetas services to meet the increasing needs of older Victorians, their families and carers,” said acting Chairman, Bishop Andrew Curnow.

At the same time, the board has increased its aged care expertise, appointing two well known researchers to be directors.

Associate Professor Gerry Naughtin is an academic in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University and a Senior Manager for Retirement & Ageing at the Brotherhood of St Laurence.

Dr Susan Koch is an has extensive research experience is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at La Trobe University as well as being a director of the Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC).