VenuesWest appoints first female Chair and welcomes new board member

The VenuesWest board, which oversees Western Australia's premier sport and entertainment venues, has appointed Mary Anne Stephens as their first female Chair and welcomed new board member, Gary Dreibergs.

Stephens has served on the board since 2015, bringing over 25 years' experience in finance and operational roles both in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, and key strengths in finance, risk and governance. She has spent the past 13 years of her career in senior roles also focusing on strategy, leadership and business intelligence.

Dreibergs has 40 years' experience with the WA Police Force, serving as Deputy Commissioner for seven years. He established Operation Tide, delivering the Western Australian Police emergency COVID-19 pandemic response. During this time, he was instrumental in ensuring sport continued safely in Western Australia, including major sporting events such as the AFL Grand Final and Bledisloe Cup.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman thanked departing long-serving board member and former Chair Graham Goerke for his outstanding contribution during 15 years of dedicated service.

Goerke joined the VenuesWest board in March 2007 and has served as Chair over the past four years. During his time, Goerke oversaw a period of significant growth within the portfolio, growing from four venues to 13, including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena and HBF Park. Annual patronage increased from two million to over six million and asset value increased from $108 million in 2007 to $1.7 billion in 2022.

Stephens will commence in her role as Chair 1st July 2022 through to 30th October 2024. Dreibergs' appointment is for a term of two years, commencing 1st July 2022 and expiring 30th June 2024.

The VenuesWest board also includes Michelle Hoad, Donna Oxenham, Kaylene Gulich PSM, Priya Cooper OAM, Scott Henderson, Chris Massey and Guy Houston, and is proudly diverse and gender balanced.

Minister Templeman congratulated Stephens on her appointment as Chair and welcomed new board member Dreibergs noting “both appointments bring a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience to the VenuesWest board, and I am confident they will continue the great work of the board.

"I sincerely thank outgoing Chair Graham Goerke for his invaluable contribution to VenuesWest over a prolonged period of time."

Images: Perth Federation Cup 2019 at VenuesWest's RAC Arena (top) and Mary Anne Stephens (below).