John Eren appointed as new Kardinia Park Stadium Trust Chair

Former Victorian Sports  and Major Events Minister, John Eren has been appointed as Chair of the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, bringing valuable experience across tourism, sport and major events. Eren takes over from Bernadette Uzelac who has been interim chair since February 2025.

The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust administers, promotes and manages GMHBA Stadium and attached land including the Barwon Regional Cricket Centre and the Geelong Sports Museum.

The Trust has an overarching objective of contributing to the economy, community and liveability of the Geelong region and the state.

Victorian acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Danny Pearson confirmed the appointment of Eren, who has been a member of the Trust since January 2025.

Eren represented Geelong and Lara as a Member of the Victorian Parliament between 2002 and 2022.

During his time in parliament, he was on numerous Committees as a Parliamentary Secretary, and was the Minister for Sport, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 2014 to 2018.

Eren will be joined by Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles who will serve as a member on the Trust's board, bringing years of experience being an advocate for First Peoples across the region.

Eccles is an artist and highly regarded First Nations leader in the Geelong region.

Acting Minister Pearson noted "Kardinia Park is Australia's biggest regional stadium and hosts several sports and major events each year.

"Mr Eren's experience and leadership will be a valuable asset as Kardinia Park looks to build on this success in the future."

Image: John Eren.