The Australian Women’s Health Alliance is deeply saddened by the passing of former Chief Executive Officer Kelly Banister, who died on Saturday 4 July 2026 following a shock diagnosis of aggressive cancer. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by those she loved.
Kelly dedicated more than three decades of her professional life to improving the health and wellbeing of women. Whether through policy and advocacy, strengthening women’s health services, or supporting colleagues and emerging leaders, she believed every woman should have access to the care, support and opportunities needed to live a healthy life.
Kelly’s connection with the Australian Women’s Health Network, now the Australian Women’s Health Alliance, began in 2007 when she joined the Board while serving as Coordinator of Women’s Health South within the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services.
From the beginning, Kelly brought strategic insight, creativity and a collaborative approach to leadership. In 2010, she coordinated the 6th Australian Women’s Health Network Conference in Hobart, The New National Agenda. Bringing together more than 500 delegates from across the country, the conference reflected Kelly’s ability to connect research, policy, practice and the arts in ways that encouraged new ideas and strengthened professional relationships across the women’s health sector.
In 2011, Kelly concluded her Board term to take on a national coordination role with the Network before being appointed as its first Chief Executive Officer in 2012.
During her leadership, the Network strengthened its governance, national profile and organisational capacity. Kelly successfully led the organisation through its transition to charitable status, secured funding for a range of national projects, and strengthened accountability across its virtual national operating model. She also led the development of the website, the creation of a secure Board portal, interactive stakeholder consultation tools and the establishment of the Women’s Health Clearinghouse.
Kelly also understood the importance of making women’s health evidence accessible and influential. Under her leadership, the Network expanded its publications, promotional resources and women’s health fact sheets, including The Voice of Women’s Health Prospectus, the Australian Women’s Health Network Charter, and publications addressing violence against women, women’s mental health and non-communicable diseases, among many other important initiatives.
Kelly represented the Network nationally, working closely with member organisations, researchers, health professionals and governments to advance women’s health. During this period she advocated directly with Australia’s political leaders, including Prime Minister Julia
Gillard, Senator Penny Wong and Minister Tanya Plibersek.
Kelly found joy in platforming women who thought leaders in gender and health equity. She nominated several women for an Order of Australia including the current Treasurer, Denele Crozier AM.
Kelly’s commitment to women’s health was shaped by both her personal experiences and her lifelong belief in equality. Growing up in Sydney before moving to the Northern Rivers as a child, Kelly often spoke about the influence of her mother, who had aspired to become a jet pilot but was told women could only become nurses or secretaries.
“I was brought up with that sense of how unjust discrimination is and what women are told that will stop them from doing things that, of course, we can do.”
That conviction became a defining thread throughout her life and career.
Following her time with the Network, Kelly returned to the Northern Rivers, a region that had remained close to her heart since childhood.
In June 2020 she became General Manager of the Northern Rivers Women’s Health Centre, guiding the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and, soon afterwards, the devastating floods that affected communities across the region. Under her leadership, the service expanded outreach and support for women navigating the long-term impacts of disaster, recognising that recovery involves rebuilding health, wellbeing and connection alongside homes and infrastructure. She also worked with Gender and Disaster Australia to strengthen the integration of a gender lens into disaster recovery, ensuring the needs and experiences of women remained visible throughout rebuilding efforts.
Former Chair Marilyn Beaumont OAM, who appointed Kelly as the Network’s Chief Executive Officer and worked alongside her throughout her tenure, reflected:
“It was a privilege to know Kelly personally and to work alongside her over many years. Kelly combined strategic vision with communication skills and a deep commitment to strengthening women’s health. She leaves an enduring legacy for women’s health in Australia.”
Kelly remained a passionate advocate for strong, sustainable women’s health services. As she once said:
“What we really need is a space set up, ideally in perpetuity, for women… where we can access continuous and adequate funding and support women to have full access to the services they need. We know that when women are supported, communities thrive.”
Australian Women’s Health Alliance Treasurer Denele Crozier, who first met Kelly when she joined the Australian Women’s Health Network Board in 2007, shared these reflections on Kelly’s leadership, friendship and enduring contribution:
“Kelly was a hardworking feminist with a deep commitment to social justice, great political instincts, a wonderful sense of humour and a real flair for the arts. She was great to work with and became a good friend. Whenever we found ourselves in the same city, we would make time for dinner together. Our conversations ranged from politics, governance and women’s health to shopping, relationships and the difference between human resources and industrial relations. She brought warmth, curiosity and generosity to both her professional and personal relationships.”
Kelly’s legacy lives on through the organisations she strengthened, the publications she helped shape, the people she mentored and the countless women and communities whose lives were enriched by her work. As the Alliance marks its 40th anniversary, we acknowledge Kelly’s contribution to ensuring the organisation continued to be a strong national voice for women’s health and gender equity.
Reflecting on Kelly’s contribution, Australian Women’s Health Alliance Chair Bonney Corbin said:
“Kelly leaves behind an organisation that continues to build on the foundations she helped create, and a community of colleagues who will remember her energy, humour and unwavering commitment to women’s health. We continue building on that legacy.”
On behalf of the Australian Women’s Health Alliance, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Kelly’s family, friends, former colleagues and the many communities whose lives she touched.
We honour her extraordinary contribution to women’s health in Australia with gratitude and commit to continuing the work to which she dedicated so much of her life.
Vale Kelly Banister (1962–2026)