Joe Calafiore named new chair of Kardinia Park Stadium Trust

The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust has announced that current board member and Geelong local Joe Calafiore will take the reins as its new Chair from 1st October 2023.

Calafiore, who was Chief Executive of the Geelong based Transport Accident Commission (TAC) until June 2023, was first appointed to the Trust in 2018.

Born and raised in Geelong, he has previously worked as a Senior Advisor for the Minister for Police before becoming Head of Community Relations at the TAC, eventually taking over as Chief Executive in 2015.

He has strong experience in communications and community relations and is a member of the Committee for Geelong’s Policy and Strategy Committee. He is also currently Chair of the Trust’s Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Calafiore replaces Stephen Gough AM who has been Chair of the Trust since 2020.

Gough was instrumental in the Trust’s formation having been appointed to the Victorian Government steering committee that helped develop the current model which led to the establishment of the Trust in 2016.

Gough helped oversee the ongoing transformation of Kardinia Park as Australia’s best regional stadium, having hosted matches during the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the stadium’s first concert with the Foo Fighters selling out the venue in March 2022.

Thanking Gough for his valuable service and welcoming Calafiore to the role, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos stated “Mr Calafiore brings invaluable experience to the role as Chair, carrying on from his position as a Trust member to help ensure Kardinia Park remains the premier regional sporting venue in Australia.

“Mr Gough has made a tremendous contribution to the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust as Chair for the past three years. He has provided valuable first-hand experience while working with the Board to help lead the ongoing transformation of this special regional venue.”

Image: Joe Calafiore. Credit: Kardinia Park Stadium Trust.