Who we are
Here, we gather to share stories, connect, and celebrate successes. Take your time, embrace creativity, and explore new possibilities.
Our place is special. From Bundjil’s eye in Sky Country, the tongue of land Djilang is seen. The Western Beach cliffs are more than stunning; they hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Wadawurrung People. Ever-changing light floods the region from sunrise to sunset and into the night, inspiring everything we do. Come and experience Geelong’s newest venue, Nyaal Banyul.
Behind our gifted name
Nyaal Banyul, which translates to ‘Open your eyes to the hills,’ was generously gifted to the venue by the Wadawurrung People. Wadawurrung People across Wadawurrung Country have always come together for gatherings, cultural business, celebrations and ceremonies.
In Wadawurrung language these gatherings are known as baierr. For thousands of generations, Wadawurrung People have gathered on the Western Cliffs of Djilang (Geelong) for baierr – to yarn, celebrate, share songs and dance, trade, make decisions, solve problems and pass on knowledge.
Visitors to Nyaal Banyul are invited to open their eyes to the hills of Wadawurrung Country. In all directions, the hills hold the stories, songs and dance of past baierr.
Trusted industry leaders
As part of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET), Nyaal Banyul is backed by over 30 years of event management expertise, ensuring top-tier service and operational excellence. MCET also manages Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre .
Our purpose
Welcoming places for people to share ideas, build communities, and leave legacies.
Our vision
The world’s trusted partner for delivering impactful events.
Our values
One team: Success comes from working and celebrating together .
Own it, do it well: Do your best and get better every time.
Respect: Respect each other and our customers.
Our trustees
The Hon John Brumby AO
Chair
The Hon. John Brumby AO was appointed Chairperson of the Trust on 11 August 2017. He is the Chancellor of La Trobe University and Professor (Honorary) at the University of Melbourne.
Mr Brumby served as Victorian Treasurer (2000-2007) and Premier of Victoria (2007-2010). He was Victoria's first Minister for Innovation.
Since retiring from politics in 2010, Mr Brumby has served in various roles in the not-for-profit and business sectors. This includes Chair of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) and the Victorian Government's $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund.
He was awarded an Order of Australia in 2017 for his service to Victoria and has written articles and books, including The Long Haul – Lessons from Public Life (2015).
Mr Michael Burn
Trustee
Mr Michael Burn was reappointed to the Trust for three years on 3 July 2022. He has extensive finance experience from 30+ years in investment banking including nearly two decades as Executive Director at the Macquarie Group.
Currently Deputy Chairman at Flagstaff Partners, Mr Burn is also a Director at both PFD Food Services and St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research.
He was Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club (2011-2016) after serving as Director for seven years.
Mr Charlie Donnelly
Trustee
Mr Charlie Donnelly joined the Trust on 10 June 2020 for a three-year term. He has board-level experience in superannuation, insurance, marketing and skills training.
Having held leadership roles at state, national and international levels, Mr Donnelly is now the AustralianSuper Executive for LUCRF Super Transition after the 2022 merger.
Prior to his appointment as CEO of LUCRF Super in 2014, he was General Secretary of the National Union of Workers (NUW) for 10 years and Director of LUCRF Super.
Mr Donnelly holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Melbourne and a Diploma of Financial Services. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Diana Taylor AM
Trustee
Ms Diana Taylor AM joined the Trust in July 2018. A commercial and workplace lawyer for almost 25 years, Ms Taylor currently runs her own firm and won Victoria's 2016 Telstra Business Woman of the Year (corporate and private) award.
Diana is a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition for her significant services to Australian rules football and the Geelong community.
With extensive experience as an AFL administrator, Diana was the first woman to chair a Metropolitan Men's Football League and the first woman to be appointed to the VFL Tribunal. Diana was the Geelong Football Club’s Vice President, the first woman to hold this position in the Club’s 165 year history.
Currently, Diana serves as the Chair of Geelong Authority and Anam Cara House Geelong, in addition to her roles on the Deakin Law School Advisory Board and as a member of Public Skills Australia Board.
Ms Virginia Lovett
Trustee
Ms Virginia Lovett joined the Trust in September 2022. Ms Lovett is the inaugural Director of Performing Arts at the University of Melbourne.
Before this, she was Executive Director and co-CEO of the Melbourne Theatre Company and Executive Director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
A highly experienced and well-respected arts executive, she has successfully designed a range of strategic initiatives and advised state ministers in Victoria and New South Wales. In 2006, she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship and is a graduate of the Museum Leadership program.
Currently, Ms Lovett is a Trustee of Melbourne Convention Centre, an Executive Council Member of Live Performance Australia and a member of Chief Executive Women.
Mr Peter Jones AM
Trustee
Mr Peter Jones was appointed to the Trust in September 2022. As MD and founder of Peter Jones Special Events, he has more than 30 years of experience in delivering major events across Australia.
Having served on the boards of Destination Melbourne, Victorian Tourism Industry Council and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Advisory Council, Mr Jones was also Chairman of International Special Events Society and Victorian Events Industry Council.
Mr Jones is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2018, he was recognised as a member in the general division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the tourism, NFP and hospitality sectors, especially in event management.
Ms Sujata Stead
Trustee
Sujata is the CEO of Janison, an education technology pioneer who has been supporting organisations globally for over 20 years improve how we educate and learn. Its list of blue-chip clients include the OECD, University of Cambridge Press and Assessment, and the Department of Education New South Wales.
Sujata has over twenty years’ experience in growth and transformation leadership in the global education and assessment sector.
Prior to joining Janison, Sujata was the founding CEO of Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA), the Melbourne based organisation that develops and manages the Occupational English Test (OET). Under Sujata’s leadership, OET created the market and became the leaders in language assessment for global mobility of healthcare professionals, with the business experience over 1500% growth during this period.
She has a MSc in International Business from the University of London, Birkbeck College and MA (Cantab) from Cambridge University. Sujata lived and worked in the UK and India before moving to Australia.
