Council and Foundation
St Hilda’s is governed by the School Council and supported by the St Hilda’s Foundation. Volunteers representing parents, alumni, the Anglican Synod of the Diocese and experts with specialist industry knowledge give their time to ensure the School continues to thrive.
The School Council meets once a month during the academic year. It has a strategic agenda and is responsible for the school’s budget, governance, the master plan and oversight of major capital projects. Council subcommittees include: Finance, Governance, Infrastructure & Development, and Critical Incident Response Group.
The St Hilda’s Foundation overseas the investment portfolio that supports the School’s financial prosperity. It champions a philanthropic culture in the School.
School Council Members
Joanna Millard
Anna Casellas
Simon Howard
Robert Merrick
Michael Palassis
Father Matthew Smedley
Treffina Dowland
Amanda Burt
Prof Tanya Fitzgerald
Stuart Meade
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
Treffina Dowland
OSA Nominee
Treffina Dowland has had a long-standing relationship with St Hilda’s as an Old Scholar, a parent, and as President of the Old Scholars Association. She was heavily involved with the School’s philanthropic causes including the Spreading Our Wings campaign that raised capital to establish the Chidley Campus. She is an exceptional leader, managing a variety of stakeholders and volunteers at the Old Scholars Bazaar and the Art Exhibition over many years.
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
Foundation Members
Damian Collins
Anna Casellas
Li Choo Tay
Joanna Millard
Heather Rowell
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.