Kardinia Park Stadium Trust

2024/25 certainly felt like a busy year and now the stats are in. Thank you to everyone who came along to GMHBA Stadium!   Read more in our 2024/25 Annual Report 👉 https://lnkd.in/gN-2sW9g

Collaborations are a significant part of the Geelong Sports Museum, and since early 2025, we’ve been lucky to partner with Golf Australia. The Spotlight on Golf exhibition concluded last week. It celebrated the Vic Open as well as the role golf plays in the Geelong community, and we’ve loved sharing these stories with visitors to the museum. A huge thank you to the Golf Australia team for their work and passion throughout the year.

We’re all set for the Big Bash 🏏! It’s been a big week at GMHBA Stadium as our expert team excavated the centre turf area, transported the wicket from the nursery and set the wicket in place. Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions Melbourne Renegades

Alongside Geelong Cats, we held our Remembrance Day service at Kardinia Park today. Led by Kardinia Park Stadium Trust Chair, the Hon. John Eren, who was joined by Geelong Football Club Director, Kate Betts, the service honoured all who have served or fallen serving our country. Thank you to Belmont High school students, particularly Rabhin who played The Last Post and Emily who opened the service with a reading, and all of the community members who joined us in reflection. Lest we forget.

Over the years, our Community team has had the privilege of meeting so many inspiring and interesting people at Kardinia Park. And we want to share some of their diverse stories and experiences through our series “Kardinia Park Chronicles” 📖🧡.   Chris (aka Louis “the fly”) and has had a long connection to Kardinia Park - he’s been a Geelong Cats supporter since he arrived in Australia aged 7. We caught up with Chris at Barwon Regional Cricket Centre where he regularly participates in Geelong Seniors Cricket preparing for upcoming national and state titles 🏏.   “Community means everything to me, the Geelong Seniors Cricket club particularly. Some of our members have lost partners, might be experiencing isolation and by being part of this community they get a whole new set of friends. It's an eclectic group of guys who come here equally and with respect. This club gives us physical and mental health benefits in spades.” #facesofkardiniapark

Last weekend, we finished the 2025 Australian Football season at GMHBA Stadium 🏟️. From Friday nights under lights to local grand final glory, there were 34 games across AFL, AFLW, VFL, GFNL, Respect Cup and All Abilities. It’s a team effort to make it happen - a huge thanks to the KPST team, Geelong Cats, AFL - Australian Football League, Victoria Police, Fire Rescue Victoria, St Johns Ambulance, FRS Security (Australia), Wit Security, IKON Services Australia, O'Brien Group Australia, MIEPOL and Spark Event Group. Thanks to everyone who cheered, played and kept the footy magic going all season 💙 💙

Congratulations to our Geelong Sports Museum Manager Jessica Reid who is a finalist in the Future Geelong Leadership Awards, within the Cultural & Recreation category 👏. The annual initiative presented by the Geelong Advertiser, in conjunction with the Committee for Geelong, aims to honour community leaders and inspire others to contribute to the region’s bright future. Good luck Jess! https://lnkd.in/gJpUyJj5

When you next visit Kardinia Park, you’ll notice some new landscaping and pedestrian access 🌿. This work has been done to make sure the park is better prepared rain, hail or shine. We’ve been working with experts on a storm-water flood mitigation strategy and the new area helps redirect water so the stadium and surrounds are protected during heavy rain 💧. 

Fantastic to have our partners supporting and fostering inclusion at GMHBA Stadium 🌻, thank you FRS Security (Australia).

Exciting news as we announce Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions as the new turf management partner for GMHBA Stadium and surrounding landscaped areas. Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions is the consulting arm of the South Australian stadium’s grounds team, enabling Head Curator Damian Hough and his team of experts to provide consultation and turf services to venues around the world. This partnership and their proactive and sustainable approach to turf maintenance will ensure GMHBA Stadium continues to be expertly prepared for sport, entertainment and community events, with a comprehensive turf reconstruction planned for early 2026.