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The Queensland Government has announced a refresh of the Stadiums Queensland board with five new directors: Stephen Moore, Michael Dobbie-Bridges, Debra Rains, Mary-Ann Strelow and Clare Stewart.

Existing board members John Warn and Brendan O’Farrell will remain, with Warn stepping into the Chairperson’ role to replace Cathy McGuane.

In a statement announcing the refresh, Queensland Sport Minister Tim Mander said the changes were needed “the right blend of experience and skills to guide Stadiums Queensland towards 2032”.

He added “that experience includes a former Paralympian, a former Wallabies captain, a former mayor who was also on the board of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a wealth of business acumen which will hold the future in good stead.”

The announcement came as the Queensland Government also appointed a new 16-member advisory panel, to be chaired by Night-Life Economy Commissioner John Collins, who previously worked solo in a largely consultative role.

The panel members include Lindsay Carrol from the National Retail Association, Kelly Egan from Clubs Queensland, Bernie Hogan from the Queensland Hotels Association, Charlie Cush from the Brisbane Festival and Max McBride from Taxi Council Queensland.

Collins, the former Powderfinger bassist known as ‘JC’, welcomed the announcement, saying the panel would be able to develop strategies for future growth.

While acknowledging cost of living pressures were still affecting patronage and spending, Collins said the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics provided the impetus to “get our house in order” and vowed to consult widely.

He added “there’s obviously red tape regulation that comes up a lot, there is also sound issues in some of the (local government areas.”

The new Stadiums Queensland Board appointees are:

Michael Dobbie-Bridges is a distinguished Paralympian and a trailblazer in adaptive sports, representing Australia in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and six World Cups in wheelchair tennis. He is the current Head Coach and 3-time All Australian for Queensland in AFL Wheelchair.

He has served as Chairperson of Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association and as a Board Director at Disability Employment Australia and is currently a Director at Create Advisory.

Stephen Moore is the Managing Director of BMS Group, a global broker that provides specialist insurance, reinsurance and capital markets advisory services.

Prior to his corporate career, he had 15 years in professional rugby and played a total of 129 Tests for the Wallabies including 24 as Captain.

Debra Rains is Owner/Manager of Gallivanter Travel, a regional travel agency group with stores in Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton. With over 37 years in business, she has managed to evolve and change her travel business to stay relevant.

She has been involved in many not-for-profit boards and committees and is currently a Foundation Member of the Townsville Business Women's Circle and a Food Relief NQ board member. Previous roles include President of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, President Townsville Business Women's Network, Member of the Reconstruction Advisory Board Townsville post-flood recovery, as well as the PNG and Singapore Economic Development Committee and Townsville Port Authority.

Clare Stewart is a former Mayor of Noosa Shire Council and has served on the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Stewart was elected Mayor of Noosa Council in the 2020 Local Government elections and was the first woman to serve in this position. She is also a Board Director of the not-for-profit charity Youngcare and a disability advocate.

Mary-Ann Strelow is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of FleetCrew, a market-leading 4WD hire business which services Australia’s eastern states in a broad range of industries including mining, construction, renewables and government.

Image: The Stadiums Queensland managed Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

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