Our Board
In 2022, a group of local LGBTQIA+ leaders from across the NSW South Coast came together to form Rainbow South Coast. Their shared vision was to build a stronger, more connected platform that could better respond to the needs, voices, and aspirations of the LGBTQIA+SB community in our region. Below are the current board members of Rainbow South Coast.
Co-Chair
Jess Finnegan-Kelly (She/Her)
Jess is the Co‑Chair of Rainbow South Coast and the founder of both Rainbow South Coast and the Illawarra Rainbow Community. A passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, she is dedicated to strengthening visibility, inclusion, and community connection across the Illawarra and South Coast. Her work focuses on improving the everyday experiences of LGBTQIA+ people through advocacy, collaboration, and creating spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and celebrated.
Co-Chair
Paul Middleton
(He/Him)
Paul has been a dedicated member of the Rainbow South Coast Board since 2022, serving as Chair from 2024 to 2026. He brings a steady, community‑minded approach to strengthening visibility, safety, and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people across the region. He is an active member of Central Church Port Kembla, a congregation that is proudly and fully affirming of LGBTQIA+ people. Paul also contributes to local sport through his committee roles with the Shellharbour City Suns AFL Club and the Shellharbour Swans Junior AFL Club, helping build welcoming environments for families and young people. Across all his roles, Paul is driven by a commitment to connection, belonging, and genuine community care.
Advocacy and community
Kate Dolan
(She/Her)
Dr Kate Dolan has worked as a public health professor for over 30 years. She has focused on the prevention of infections in marginalised groups such as women, prison inmates and people who use drugs. She has carried numerous consultancies for the United Nations in dozens of challenging countries. She volunteers for a frontline agency in the region. She is a long time supporter of her community. She is the community advocate and grant writer for RSC.
General officer
(Website)
Valkyrie Browne
(She/Her)
Val is a dedicated General Officer on the RSC Board and an active, passionate member of the local community. She is deeply committed to seeing the community prosper through meaningful engagement, outreach, and advocacy. Always eager to connect with other active members to offer her assistance, Val believes in the power of shared experiences to build a stronger, more supportive network. When she isn't focused on community initiatives, she is an avid enthusiast of TTRPGs, championing them as a fantastic way to foster connection, creativity, and teamwork.
