Meet our Board and Executive Team

The VenuesWest Board reports to the Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA.Minister Saffioti is the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Sport and Recreation; and Transport. 

VenuesWest provides for the establishment of a Board of Management to administer the legislation established under the Western Australian Sports Centre Trust. The Board is appointed by and is responsible to the Minister for Sport and Recreation.

Mary Anne Stephens was appointed to the Board of VenuesWest on October 29 2015, and brings 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. Mrs Stephens is VenuesWest's first female Chair with her appointment commencing on July 1, 2022 through to October 30, 2024.

Ms Priya Cooper 

A Paralympic champion swimmer, Mrs Cooper won the most medals of any Australian athlete at the Barcelona Paralympic Games in 1992 and was honoured with carrying the flag at the closing ceremony. She was appointed female captain of the Australian team at the 10th Paralympic Games in Atlanta Georgia in 1996, where she won five gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. Selected again as captain of the Australian team at the Sydney Paralympic Games, she won one gold and three bronze medals. A well-known and highly regarded public speaker, she brings significant business, communication, and public speaking skills to the Board. Mrs Cooper is the President of WA Disabled Sports Association and Board Director of Ability WA. She has previously served as Chair of the Board of the Western Australian Institute of Sport and Deputy Chair of the Disability Services Commission Board. 

 

Mr Gary Dreibergs

Mr Dreibergs has 40 years’ experience with the WA Police Force, serving as Deputy Commissioner for seven years. He established Operation Tide, delivering the WA Police emergency COVID-19 response. During this time, he was instrumental in ensuring sporting events continued safely in WA, including major sporting events such as the AFL Grand Final and Bledisloe Cup. Mr Dreibergs currently sits on the Board of the Western Australian Institute of Sport and was appointed Chair of WA Gaming and Wagering Commission in May 2024.

 

Ms Donna Oxenham

Ms Oxenham was appointed to the Board of VenuesWest on 1 September 2017. A researcher at the University of Western Australia, Donna’s 20 year sporting career saw her achieve 35 state and two national titles in the sport of Judo. Donna has worked with Indigenous people, groups and organisations throughout Western Australia and the broader Aboriginal Indigenous community, particularly within the fields of arts, history, cultural heritage and native title.

 

Ms Michelle Hoad 

Ms Hoad has over 20 years’ senior leadership experience in the vocational education and training sector, building workforce capability to support economic growth and social impact. As the Managing Director of North Metropolitan TAFE, she manages the delivery of training to over 34,000 Western Australians, providing future fit skills to advance industry, strengthen community and achieve career aspirations. 

 

Mr Tim Colmer

Mr Colmer brings over 25 years’ experience at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and is currently Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. In this role, Mr Colmer provides leadership and management of the UWA College of Schools, working collaboratively with the Heads of Schools and other stakeholders to ensure alignment of resources and academic initiatives in the delivery of the University’s strategic plan. 

 

Ms Melanie Cave

Ms Cave joined the Board in May 2024. She is a qualified lawyer with nearly three decades of experience in commercial and property law, specialising in the end-to-end delivery of strategic infrastructure projects nationally and internationally. As a previous partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, she was a key advisor to the Western Australian government for over 10 years and has a deep understanding of the additional responsibilities in delivery public services. Ms Cave is also an experienced Non-Executive Director and Board Chair spanning over 15 years. Her areas of industry experience include health infrastructure and services, community services, transport (road and ports), water and waste management, and social infrastructure, such as stadia, hospitals and desalination plants. 

 

Mr Neil Cooke

Mr Cooke joined the Board in November 2024. Mr Cooke is an experienced finance leader and Non-Executive Director with expertise in finance, risk management and governance across the commercial and not for profit sectors. Mr Cooke is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Capricorn Society Limited. 

Janis Carren is the Chief Executive Officer of VenuesWest and leader of the Executive Team. The organisation has four major directorates, along with Finance, Venue Operations and Commercial.

Deputy CEO, Stuart Lyon oversees Venue Operations, Commercial, Major Projects and Contract Management.

Portfolio Management

• Facility Management
• Capital Works
• Minor Works & Asset Management

Venue Management

• Marketing
• HBF Park
• Venue Operations (Aquatics, Customer Service, Venue Delivery, Public Safety & Security)
• Sports & Events (Event Delivery and Catering)
• Venue Services (Bookings, Partnerships and Programs, Fitness & Sales)

Governance

• Communications
• Board, Ministerial and Committee support and liaison
• Insurance
• Internal audit 
• Policy
• Risk Governance

Business Support Services

• People & Culture
• Risk & Safety
• Information Technology Communications
• Change Management