The Andrews Labor Government today announced the appointment of Matthew Finnis to the Board of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).
Mr Finnis has been the Chief Executive Officer of St Kilda Football Club since 2014, and has a long history of championing equality.
Under his leadership, St Kilda played the first Pride game in professional sport in 2016, to promote inclusion in football and celebrate diversity. The same year he was named “Straight Ally of the Year” in the Globe Community Awards.
Prior to joining St Kilda, Mr Finnis was the CEO of the AFL Players’ Association, where he gained respect for tirelessly promoting the long-term health, professional development and financial security of football players.
Mr Finnis was previously the Chair of Ladder, a football players’ charitable initiative tackling youth homelessness. He was also a founding director of HeartKids Australia, a charity supporting children with congenital heart disease.
Before working in the AFL, Mr Finnis was a commercial lawyer, advising numerous sporting organisations, businesses, sportspeople and government.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula
“Matthew Finnis is greatly respected for his work promoting diversity and promoting players’ long-term interests in the AFL, and I look forward to his contribution to VEOHRC.”
“VEOHRC plays a vital role in preventing discrimination and ensuring all Victorians are treated fairly.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020