Introducing the women of Geelong Racing Club

BEHIND some of the biggest and most loved events in our region is a team of capable, driven and passionate women at Geelong Racing Club.

Aside from chief executive Luke Rayner, the Geelong Racing Club office is proudly powered by women, each bringing diverse industry experience, strong leadership and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional events for our community.

From the iconic Ladbrokes Geelong Cup to Super Saturday on the Coast, the club’s major race days continue to draw thousands trackside each year.

Beyond racing, the Geelong Racing Club is increasingly becoming a destination for large-scale outdoor events, hosting everything from the Rodeo to trade shows, dance parties and the caravan show.

The growth of these non-race day events reflects both the versatility of the venue and the collaborative effort behind the scenes.

Lynda Lister, marketing and communications coordinator, leads social media, advertising and brand strategy. With a background in Melbourne hospitality, including owning her own venue, along with experience in conferencing, sports club marketing and running her own business, she brings creativity and commercial thinking to the club’s continued growth.

Sophie Favre, operations manager, has been with the club for nine years and leads OHS, risk and governance, HR and racing operations. Her role spans compliance, people management and race day delivery. Navigating leadership in this environment has reinforced the importance of confidence, integrity and backing yourself – qualities she hopes encourage other women to step into senior roles.

Tayla Luscombe, administration coordinator, is the welcoming face of the office.

With a background in administration at Bunnings and recruitment, she brings organisation, efficiency and a genuine passion for supporting clients and colleagues alike. Tayla also supports Lynda with social media and Monika Ewen in event planning.

Monika, events coordinator, oversees race day hospitality and a diverse range of non-race day events, functions and festivals. Working closely with clients, suppliers and internal teams, she ensures every event runs smoothly from concept through to execution.

Di Schmidtke, commercial manager (maternity leave cover), brings a lifelong background in weddings and large-scale events, including music festivals and racing functions.

While she admits to being slightly in awe of horses, she thrives on the fashion, cuisine and entertainment that racing brings to Geelong.

Together, the breadth and depth of experience, both professionally and personally, is what makes this team so strong. While each woman leads in her own space, collaboration is constant. Ideas are shared and challenges are solved together, often over lengthy chats and coffee, to deliver major events for the region.

On International Women’s Day, Geelong Racing Club celebrates the women behind the scenes who help drive the club forward. They are capable, collaborative and have been instrumental in shaping the club as one of the region’s most dynamic event destinations.