our Ambassadors

As ambassadors for ConneCTErs Australia, Wally and Lynda have demonstrated commitment and drive, genuine compassion, and widespread influence for CTE at an individual, community and national level. Their devotion to bringing awareness to CTE, their brave and self-less act of sharing personal experiences of the neurological investigations for CTE, and lobbying to secure federal funding for CTE, is nothing short of remarkable to which ConneCTErs Australia are honoured to call Wally and Lynda their Ambassadors. 

“Communication was an absolute priority during my football career, enabling us to work together as a team and achieve the best possible outcome in every game. Connecters provides a platform that allows us to communicate with and support those of us with probable Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and our loved ones. I am happy to be a part of the Connecters Team and support where possible”.  Wally Lewis AM

Diana is the Chief Executive of the Law Society of South Australia. Prior to this role, Diana was the General Counsel for Workskil Australia. Her previous roles include Manager, Legal Practice at the Legal Services Commission of South Australia and National Director, Legal Services for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. 

Diana worked in the UK for ten years where she was a Partner at the UK based Law Firm, Eversheds Sutherland LLP supporting clients working across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Diana has extensive Board experience and is the Chair of the Board of disability and aged care provider Community Support Incorporated and Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors of Pulteney Grammar School.

 "We are thrilled to support the organisation through the next stage of its journey and look forward to engaging with the CTE community to provide support and hope."  

 Sarah Willey grew up in Townsville, North QLD and is the wife of Steve who has been diagnosed with probable CTE. Steve grew up in Ingham, North QLD which involved a lot of outdoor and high contact activities including rugby league, rugby union, hunting, fishing, amateur boxing training, boat racing and various other activities as a young North Queenslander who lived life to the max (and even pushing quite a few limits in between).

Steve is in the later stages of CTE now and lives a simple life which is why Sarah has embarked on this opportunity with ConneCTErs Australia.

Steve has experienced a range of difficult personal struggles for decades which increased in latter years, years of reporting challenges and presenting with symptoms associated with a degenerative brain disease, and only being accurately diagnosed at the start of 2024.

Sarah brings with her a range of experience across various areas which includes senior leadership positions within government healthcare, clinical experience across allied health and mental health, and has had to opportunity to work for other government agencies spanning over twenty-plus years. Her experience is extensive ,and her approach is always about patient-centred care and being accountable to person, the cause and the community.

Tim England is a Dementia Champion and is a

leading voice on dementia in Australia and has

been active in this area for almost two decades.

Simply google the 3 words - Tim England

Dementia - to discover more about his history and

contribution to the community.

With a Bachelor of Dementia Care and being the

first recipient of the world’s first Masters of

Dementia degree, Tim De-mystifies and De-

stigmatises dementia and advocates for people

living with dementia and their families to live well.

The neurobiology study of CTE was a major

project for Tim during his Masters Degree

program and Tim has written and spoken publicly

and extensively about CTE.

Tim is committed to ConneCTErs Australia due to the impact that CTE has on the

individual, their family and the community. CTE is a disease that is linked to Younger

On-Set Dementia and CTE is very much misunderstood and needs to be discussed

publicly to remove the stigma and mystery around it. From his first meeting at a

supporter’s event hosted by Dr Rowena Mobb’s, 

Tim knew immediately that he could

help and must help. Currently Tim works with several individuals with CTE and their

families and assists them to find suitable supports and services as they navigate the

challenges linked to CTE.