Council and Foundation

Joanna Millard

Chair of Council

Master of Business Administration (Excellence)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Bachelor of Commerce
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors  

Anna Casellas

Deputy Chair of Council

Anna Casellas is a highly experienced professional employment law, industrial relations and safety issues. She is a Partner at Clayton Utz, leading the National Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety Group. As Deputy Chair of Council she brings her expertise to support the School’s governance and development. Anna also serves as a non-executive director at the Black Swan State Theatre Company. Anna is a third-generation St Hilda’s graduate.  

Bachelor of Law
Masters in Law 

Simon Howard

Treasurer / Chair of Finance

Simon is the CEO of Knight, a leading finance and business advisory business in Perth.  His career has included roles in London and Melbourne in the finance industry including EY, KPMG and the National Australia Bank. He is regularly called on to speak at the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Simon provides support for the community in his roles as Vice President of the Christ Church Grammar School Old Boys Association, Honorary Treasurer at Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club and Treasurer of the Claremont Junior Football Club. Simon has a daughter at St Hilda’s, a son at Christ Church, and twin boys at a local primary school.

Certified Practising Accountant (CPA)
Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting and Finance
Master of Applied Finance
Graduate Diploma, Accounting 

Robert Merrick

Chair of Governance

Rob Merrick is a highly experienced lawyer specialising in energy and natural resources. As a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, he focusses on acquisitions, divestments and project financing. Rob is recognised as one of Australia’s leading energy lawyers. Rob has a daughter at St Hilda’s.  

Bachelor of Laws 

Michael Palassis

Chair of Infrastructure and Development

Michael Palassis is Managing Director at Paxon Group, an international advisor providing financial and commercial advice for infrastructure projects. With over 20 years of experience, he has advised on over $20 billion worth of projects and is known for developing new infrastructure in the education sector. Michael is a former Senator of the University of Western Australia and is Honorary Treasury for the Australia College of Health Service Management. Michael has a daughter at St Hilda’s and two sons at Scotch College.  

Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Laws
Masters of Applied Finance
Fellow of Financial Services Institute of Australia 

Father Matthew Smedley

Anglican Church Nominee

Fr Matthew commenced as Rector of the Parish of Mosman Park in February 2020 and is an Archbishop’s appointment to the School Council. Before moving to Perth, he has served in the Diocese of Grafton and has served as Mission Support Officer (Northern Ministry Region), Clerical Canon of The Cathedral Church of Christ the King, Chair of Anglicare North Coast, and Deputy Chair of The Buttery, among other roles. Prior to ordination worked in the banking and tourism sectors, a not-for-profit organisation, and a state government department.  

Honours Degree in Economics, German and Russian Language Studies
Master of Divinity
Diploma in Ministry 

John Hartman

Synod Nominee

John Hartman is the Chief Executive Officer of Tattarang and the Minderoo Foundation. He was previously Chief Investment Officer of Tattarang and Minderoo Foundation, holding the role since 2012.

As CEO of Tattarang, John oversees one of Australia’s largest and most diverse private investment groups. It has more than $35bn of assets under management across a range of sectors, including agri-food, energy, resources, property and health-tech. John holds a number of board positions, including Chairman of Squadron Energy, Wyloo Metals and R.M. Williams.

John currently has a daughter attending the School.

Amanda Burt

OSA Nominee

Amanda is a legal practitioner and has a role as a Regional Legal Counsel, Asia Pacific at a global consultancy. Previous legal roles include as an Associate for a Justice of the Court of Appeal, at top tier law firms, and in-house, and her particular expertise is in projects, infrastructure, mining, safety and sustainability. She has previously served as Chair of a school fundraising committee whilst living in Melbourne. 

Amanda has many connections to the school and has served on the OSA Committee from late 2017 having been elected to the position of President in October 2024. Her daughter has recently graduated from the St Hilda’s. 

Juris Doctor, Doctor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Prof Tanya Fitzgerald

Council Member

Tanya Fitzgerald is a distinguished Professor and Dean of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Western Australia. With a PhD in Education and extensive experience in leadership roles across multiple countries, she is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK).  

PhD, (History of Education) 

Stuart Meade

Council Member

Stuart Meade is a dedicated educational leader with over 45 years of service in the industry. He retired recently after seven years as the Principal at Matthew Flinders Anglican College and prior to that Hale School. He successful led key projects including the Flinders Masterplan. Since his relocation back to Perth he consults in education.  

Bachelor of Arts, Dip ed, Economics, Geography
Master of Education, Education Administration 

Verity Burges

OSA Nominee

Verity Burges is the Operations Strategic Project Lead at CBH Group, where she drives initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and deliver strategic impact across the organisation. Prior to this, she was a Senior Manager at EY, leading complex projects and advising clients across a range of industries.

A Chartered Accountant, Verity holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the University of Western Australia and is a proud St Hilda’s Old Scholar.

Her extensive experience in audit, risk and compliance brings additional strength to Council’s oversight capability, complementing her strong foundation in finance, governance and strategic execution. Verity brings analytical rigour, leadership and a collaborative mindset to every challenge she undertakes.

Jay Barker

P&F Nominee

Damian Collins

President

Damian Collins is a highly respected property investor and the Managing Director of Momentum Wealth, a Perth-based property investment consultancy. He is also the Chairman of Westbridge Funds Management and has served on the REIWA Council since 2011, including a term as President until 2022. Damian is known for his extensive experience in advocacy in the local real estate community. Damian has a daughter who graduated from St Hilda’s and a daughter who is currently the School.  

Anna Casellas

Vice President

Anna Casellas is a highly experienced professional employment law, industrial relations and safety issues. She is a Partner at Clayton Utz, leading the National Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety Group. As Vice President of the Foundation, she brings her expertise to support the School’s governance and development. Anna also serves as a non-executive director at the Black Swan State Theatre Company. Anna is a third-generation St Hilda’s graduate.  

Bachelor of Law
Masters in Law 

Li Choo Tay

Treasurer

Li Choo Tay has over 20 years of experience in finance and banking. She has held senior roles at HSBC Private Bank, MUFG Securities and JP Morgan. Li Choo is a CFA-certified professional with an MBA from INSEAD and a PPE degree from Oxford. She sits on the INSEAD Foundation and is currently studying for her PhD at the University of Western Australia. Li Choo has two daughters at St Hilda’s and a son at Christ Church Grammar School. 

Joanna Millard

Foundation Member

Master of Business Administration (Excellence)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Bachelor of Commerce
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors  

Heather Rowell

Foundation Member

Heather Rowell brings a wealth of international experience in strategy, business performance and transformation consulting to her role on the Foundation Board. Currently a Director at Nous Group, Heather is a Chartered Accountant and qualified executive coach with extensive experience across the higher education, mining and FMCG sectors in Australia, the UK, and North America. A fourth-generation St Hilda’s graduate, Heather is also an Old Scholar with three nieces currently enrolled. 

Garrett Prendiville

Foundation Member

Garrett has spent most of his career in the hospitality and tourism industry, leading operations, developments and acquisitions across Australia and New Zealand.

 As CEO of his family business, Prendiville Group (est. 1978), he drives growth and innovation.

 Garrett also sits on the board of Tourism Council WA, is an alumnus of Cornell University and an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO).

 He brings expertise in finance, governance, philanthropy, compliance, investment, asset management and entrepreneurship to St Hilda’s Foundation.

 Believing in investing in institutions with enduring value, Garrett considers it a privilege to serve during a time of generational change.

 His wife is a proud Old Scholar, his daughter attends St Hilda’s, and his son is at Christ Church Grammar School.

 Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Marketing.