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
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 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
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 Ma
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.
Associate Professor Rowena Mobbs is currently one of Australia's leading medical experts in concussion and CTE. D r Mobbs' subspeciality interests are in cognitive disturbance, neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, encephalitis, and other neuropsychiatric and dementia disorders.Dr Mobbs has a PhD in myeloradiculopathy, currently leading the Australian CTE Biobank, and has been recently joined the Concussion and CTE Coalition formed from the federal government grant .
"CTE is finally on the agenda of the Federal government, who generously pledged $12.5m in funding, recently announced by Minister Anika Wells MP, for the Concussion and CTE Coalition resulting from our advocacy in April 2024.
Our patients and their loved ones, led by the great Wally Lewis, stormed Parliament House to share the message at the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia with a subsequent appearance at the National Press Club. We are excited that this process is underway and will share updates with enthusiasm."
In 2023 the Concussion and CTE Coalition was formed. The members include Dementia Australia, Brain Foundation, Connecters Australia, Associate Professor Fatima Nasrallah of the Queensland Brain Institute at The University of Queensland and Dr Rowena Mobbs of Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland.
In February 2025 the Hon. Anika Wells MP, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport announced the Australia Federal Government granted 12.5 million to tackling chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
ConneCTErs Australia are committed to working in partnerships with the Concussion and CTE Coalition to provide support to people living with and caring for someone with CTE, facilitating and driving health promotion and awareness into CTE, providing education on CTE, and supporting the research into CTE.
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