We believe that community organisations have the solutions they need to tackle tough problems and our mission is to bring together the right people, ideas, and energy to transform these solutions into action.
We work hand in hand with our clients to solve complex challenges, strengthen their capabilities, and enable them to better serve the communities that rely on them.
We believe that by challenging outdated structures and bridging the gap between operational realities and ambition, we can create a more sustainable, effective, and inclusive future for the sector.
At Bonorigo, we don’t just offer consultancy; we roll up our sleeves and make things happen.
At Bonorigo, we are dedicated to helping community organisations, nonprofits, government agencies, and social enterprises across Australia, especially within the NDIS and broader disability sector.
Principal Consultant
John is a not-for-profit leader with 20 years in human services and 15 years in senior leadership roles. He’s passionate about human rights and social justice, believing that a strong, values-driven provider market is key to making a real impact.
With deep experience in strategy, growth, and major transformations—including leading Australia’s largest not-for-profit integration—John knows how to navigate complex challenges and turn them into opportunities. He’s worked across the NDIS, Child Care, Welfare, Aged Care, and Employment sectors, always focused on building sustainable, high-quality services.
What John brings to the table:
With an MBA and graduate qualifications in Psychology and Computer Science, John brings a rare mix of strategic thinking, technical know-how, and sector expertise. As a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he’s all about helping organisations grow while staying true to their mission.
With deep experience in strategy, growth, and major transformations—including leading Australia’s largest not-for-profit integration—John knows how to navigate complex challenges and turn them into opportunities. He’s worked across the NDIS, Child Care, Welfare, Aged Care, and Employment sectors, always focused on building sustainable, high-quality services.
What John brings to the table:
- Led three successful mergers and took three more to advanced stages by aligning vision, values, and resources.
- Built a seamless integration framework that delivered results on time and within budget.
- Drove $150M+ in revenue growth over a decade through government tenders, service expansions, and smart business strategies.
- Led system implementations across multiple service industries to boost efficiency and impact.
With an MBA and graduate qualifications in Psychology and Computer Science, John brings a rare mix of strategic thinking, technical know-how, and sector expertise. As a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he’s all about helping organisations grow while staying true to their mission.
John Rowland
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Senior Consultant
Jon is a hands-on leader in the NDIS sector, known for his deep expertise and practical approach to making services work in a system that’s always evolving. Starting out as a support worker and team leader, he’s got a real-world understanding of what it takes to deliver quality support—and how to build systems that make life easier for both providers and participants.
For the past 13 years, Jon has been at the forefront of designing and improving planning, rostering, and billing functions. He’s passionate about creating simple, effective solutions that boost efficiency without losing sight of what really matters: great support for people who need it.
What Jon brings to the table:
A graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program, Jon knows how to build a coalition and affect change in human services.
For the past 13 years, Jon has been at the forefront of designing and improving planning, rostering, and billing functions. He’s passionate about creating simple, effective solutions that boost efficiency without losing sight of what really matters: great support for people who need it.
What Jon brings to the table:
- Built and led every key function in the NDIS operational lifecycle, including intake, planning, billing, rostering, time and attendance, and claiming.
- Rolled out client, billing, time-tracking, and business intelligence systems to streamline operations.
- Designed and improved NDIS operating models to cut admin time, strengthen frontline support, and make active support the standard.
A graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program, Jon knows how to build a coalition and affect change in human services.
Jon Anning
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Senior Consultant
Cathy is a senior leader with a commitment to human rights and a drive to help community organisations stay true to their mission.
She’s a natural strategist and communicator, combining sharp analytical thinking with a creative approach to problem-solving. With a background as an ABC journalist, she knows how to ask the right questions, cut through the noise, and get to the heart of an issue — then work collaboratively to find solutions.
What Cathy brings to the table:
With a Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science, plus qualifications in marketing, professional communications, and financial management, Cathy brings both depth and versatility to every challenge.
She’s a natural strategist and communicator, combining sharp analytical thinking with a creative approach to problem-solving. With a background as an ABC journalist, she knows how to ask the right questions, cut through the noise, and get to the heart of an issue — then work collaboratively to find solutions.
What Cathy brings to the table:
- 20+ years of experience in stakeholder management, forging strong partnerships, and applying best-practice engagement strategies
- Expert advice to boards and executives on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities—navigating the complex, multi-state regulatory landscape of the disability and Out of Home Care sectors
- Experience leading communications and marketing for five mergers and acquisitions, plus the change communications that followed to support the integration process.
- A knack for turning complex information into clear, engaging, and persuasive content.
With a Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science, plus qualifications in marketing, professional communications, and financial management, Cathy brings both depth and versatility to every challenge.
Cathy Limb
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Senior Consultant
Nicola Crates is a Speech Pathologist and experienced and recognised expert in contemporary disability practice developed over a career of leadership and action research. Internationally published, Nicola has advanced both the human rights of people with disability, and the field of positive behaviour support during her 20 year leadership career innovating disability services, following an extensive Government and background in private practice.
Nicola has led the development and implementation of innovative practice approaches with a specific focus on people with disability with complex needs. Strongly informed by person-centred active support, practice leadership and trauma informed principles, she has established practice frameworks for a national provider of disability and child and family services. She has also overseen the establishment of client engagement frameworks, including a national self-advocacy support program. An expert in home and living services, she has overseen the transition of thousands from institutional congregate settings to contemporary client led shared and individual services.
Her values of compassion, excellence and adventure are reflected in her commitment to developing person centred services that meet the needs of individuals who are at risk of homelessness and exclusion due to behaviours of concern. Utilising her expertise in positive behaviour support, staff development, leadership and service design she has developed and implemented effective service models for individuals living with behaviours of concern resulting from intellectual disability, autism and trauma, including those engaged with the justice system. Her motivation comes from seeing the life changing results that can be achieved when staff, families, individuals and clinicians work collaboratively to design and implement positive behaviour support plans.
Nicola has led the development and implementation of innovative practice approaches with a specific focus on people with disability with complex needs. Strongly informed by person-centred active support, practice leadership and trauma informed principles, she has established practice frameworks for a national provider of disability and child and family services. She has also overseen the establishment of client engagement frameworks, including a national self-advocacy support program. An expert in home and living services, she has overseen the transition of thousands from institutional congregate settings to contemporary client led shared and individual services.
Her values of compassion, excellence and adventure are reflected in her commitment to developing person centred services that meet the needs of individuals who are at risk of homelessness and exclusion due to behaviours of concern. Utilising her expertise in positive behaviour support, staff development, leadership and service design she has developed and implemented effective service models for individuals living with behaviours of concern resulting from intellectual disability, autism and trauma, including those engaged with the justice system. Her motivation comes from seeing the life changing results that can be achieved when staff, families, individuals and clinicians work collaboratively to design and implement positive behaviour support plans.
Nicola Crates
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Senior Consultant
Patrick Tyro-Burns is a highly accomplished executive leader with over 30 years of cross-sector experience driving transformation, strategic reform, and complex service transitions across the disability, child and family services, aged care, and broader human services systems in Australia.
Patrick has held senior roles at the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers, including Possability Group and Life Without Barriers, where he led high-impact mergers and divestments, established national transformation offices, and delivered major service transfers under tight deadlines and scrutiny.
A respected change strategist and program delivery professional, Patrick combines operational depth with system-level thinking, specialising in engagement, governance, policy alignment, and strategic planning and execution.
Patrick brings a unique combination of formal qualifications and extensive sector experience across human services and commercial domains:
Patrick has held senior roles at the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers, including Possability Group and Life Without Barriers, where he led high-impact mergers and divestments, established national transformation offices, and delivered major service transfers under tight deadlines and scrutiny.
A respected change strategist and program delivery professional, Patrick combines operational depth with system-level thinking, specialising in engagement, governance, policy alignment, and strategic planning and execution.
Patrick brings a unique combination of formal qualifications and extensive sector experience across human services and commercial domains:
- Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) and Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology & Sociology) – Monash University
- Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
- Advanced Diploma of Government (Procurement & Contracting)
- Certified Prince2 Practitioner, Advanced Project Manager Certification and OGC Gateway Reviewer
- 30+ years’ experience across NDIS, child protection, aged care, homelessness, and youth justice
- National leadership of over 10 NGO mergers and divestments, covering strategy, due diligence, integration and stakeholder assurance.
- Developed the sector-first Integrated Change Management Office (ICMO) at LWB and authored a comprehensive Mergers & Acquisitions Guide
- A values-driven, outcomes-focused approach to reform and transformation
- Deep sector insight paired with system design and delivery expertise
- Strategic clarity with strong operational grounding
- The ability to translate complex policy into actionable, scalable practice
Patrick Tyro-Burns
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