Kate Kelly and Lindy Brinkworth see opportunities for Hepatitis SA to refresh and rejuvenate. They had assumed roles as the organisation’s CEO and Chair respectively barely a year apart, essentially presenting Hepatitis SA with a new generation of leadership.
While their paths to leadership roles in Hepatitis SA had been somewhat different, Lindy and Kate had been colleagues at the Drug and Alcohol Services SA (DASSA), a connection that can only help in building a new partnership for their new roles.
Lindy’s entry into the Hepatitis SA Board had been gentle, having been recruited by the previous Chair, Arieta Papadelos, in 2023 to join as an ordinary Board member.
“I knew about Hepatitis SA and how it had taken on the peer user service, SAVIVE, after the AIDS Council folded,” said Lindy. “Because of my lived experience in AOD*, I took a particular interest in what happened in the sector.”
What motivated me to take up a role in Hepatitis SA were friends who were impacted by hep C and whose health are still affected
She has been working with DASSA off and on for over 25 years. Trained in law, Lindy had, in between those stints, also worked in law-related projects and community services.
“What motivated me to take up a role in Hepatitis SA were friends who were impacted by hep C and whose health are still affected by it,” Lindy said.
Reflecting on becoming Chair in late 2025, she said, “My first year on the Hepatitis SA board was easy. I could just coast, but since taking over as Chair, I’ve felt the need to step up.”
Kate’s move to Hepatitis SA, on the other hand, happened very quickly. She had been at DASSA since 2018 and never even thought of leaving, until a Hepatitis SA peer showed her the CEO job advertisement and asked if she had considered applying.
The Hepatitis SA peer run sites were among the best
In DASSA Kate had worked on the GP program which engaged with medical practices, before moving on to work as a project officer in harm reduction and then as coordinator of the NSPs. “That gave me quite a bit of contact with Hepatitis SA’s NSP team,” she said.
“The Hepatitis SA peer run sites were among the best.”
“So, I thought about it and … why not?” she recalled adding with a smile, “I put in the application, went through the interviews, and here I am.”
Of her new role and responsibilities, Kate said, “It’s a huge undertaking but I am enjoying it. There are so many projects with various funding sources, and the program areas within the organisation are all quite different.
“I’m learning how things work, understanding it all so I can make the best decisions… the appropriate decisions.”
Both Kate and Lindy believe there is room to explore. Lindy has some ideas for refreshment around governance, but “they’re something that should be discussed with the board first”.
She pointed out however, that “broadly speaking, because of the longevity of Hepatitis SA’s executive leadership, the Board had been able to remain reactive rather than proactive.
“With Kerry’s retirement and Kate’s arrival, the Board is entering a new phase. We have the responsibility to support Kate and an opportunity to be more creative.”
Both women have strong roots in community. Kate was trained in performing arts, and before joining DASSA, had worked in theatre and the arts, where opportunities were irregular and income unstable.
While Lindy’s and Kate’s ties are with communities more at risk of hepatitis C, that experience can be translated to any vulnerable community.
Reaching out to community has always been what Hepatitis SA was good at
Kate is keen to encourage more community engagement in Hepatitis SA activities. “That has always been our strength. We have peers who do great work.
“We can look at raising our profile through traditional and social media, but now that people are open to in person activities, we can take part in more community events particularly those at risk of hepatitis B.
Reaching out to community has always been what Hepatitis SA was good at.”
Lindy agreed and in addition, expressed a desire for the Board to meet face to face sometimes. “From a governance perspective, we should be prepared at least once in a while to breathe the same air.”
* Alcohol and Other Drugs – refers to the use of alcohol and illicit or non-prescribed drugs, and related services.
Posted 11 November 2026
More from:
Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to be notified whenever we publish new stories.
Subscribe for Updates
