The Mercedes College Advisory Council provides a strategic overview of budget and policy and forms a valuable resource for the Principal in offering a range of inputs wider than that of education.  The Council members, all with a close Mercedes connection come to their task with experience from other sectors of society and with a range of professional backgrounds.

Peter Broun

Peter is a partner at a medium sized law firm situated in East Perth.  He practices in the area of Property Law.  He has served on the Board at St Paul's Primary School for the last four years (three as Chairperson).  He has three children; his son is in Year 10 at Trinity College, his eldest daughter is in Year 8 at Mercedes College and his youngest daughter will commence at the College in 2014. 

Dr Susan Byrne

Susan is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, School of Psychology, where she teaches in the post-graduate Clinial Psychology program. Sue's main research and clinical interests lie in the field of eating disorders, and she has published widely in this area.  Sue has a long history of connection with Mercedes College.  Her grandmother attended St Joseph's Victoria Square in the early 1900s, and her mother, Beryl Byrne, was a teacher at Mercedes for many years.  Susan also attended Mercedes between 1975 and 1978 and returned as a teacher between 1990 and 1993.  She is also related to Sister Shelia Sawle.  Sue has five children aged between 13 and 4 years old.  Her two oldest sons currently attend Trinity College and her oldest daughter, Bridget McDonald will start Mercedes College in 2013.

Robert Coltrona
Robert is the Managing Director of the renewable energy company, Carbon Reduction Ventures Pty Ltd. He has previously held senior positions in the University and Pharmaceutical sectors, and is a registered Pharmacist. Robert has twin daughters, Alexandra and Rachael in Year 9 at Mercedes College, and values the wide range of opportunities and support Mercedes offers to all of its girls to become valuable members of our community, and contributors to society.

Kerrin Girando
Kerrin has worn many hats in the area of Development and Marketing over the last 15 years, 11 of these have been involved in Education.  Currently Kerrin is the Marketing Coordinator for Scotch College.  Kerrin has a breadth of experience across Brand Strategy planning and thinking, Public Relations and Reputation Management, fostering and promoting positive community relationships, media relations, marketing, event management, web content management, advertising and Fundraising and Philanthropic programmes.

Kirsten Morris

Kirsten is a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of consulting experience providing dispute advisory services and undertaking investigations.  Kirsten focuses on assisting clients with contractual disputes and contract compliance particularly in the energy and natural resources sector.  Kirsten is currently the Mercy Education Limited's appointed representatives on the Mercedes College Advisory Council.

John Pereira (Chairman)
John is a chartered professional engineer with over thirty years’ experience in the medical sector.  He has run a successful biomedical engineering company, worked in the public sector, and is currently Chief Engineer for St John of God Hospital, Murdoch.  His daughter attends the College and he hopes to bring his experience with the College's building redevelopment program, as well as ensuring its ethos is continually enhanced by a robust quality assurance culture.

Paula Sgherza

Paula currently holds the role of Director of Mission at MercyCare and convenes the well respected Catherine McAuley Award - Women in Leadership and Service (an original inititative of the Sisters of Mercy).  Paula has held significant leadership roles over the last twenty years in Catholic Education, Community Services and the Health sector.  She is a highly regarded adult facilitator with a strong reputation for justice and mercy which she attributes to her Mercy education during her formative years.  Most recently Paula has been involved in different layers of transformational learning bringing about cultural change within communities and workplaces.  She has vast experience in rural and remote eductaion, indigenous education, curriculum development, leadership formation, organisational development, project management and government partnerships.

Mark Sleight
Mark is a Chartered Accountant, Registered Tax Agent and Registered Company Auditor.  He has two daughters at Mercedes, Erin – Year 12, Aleisha Year 8.  His interests include Swimming, Football and Cattle farming.

Freda Crucitti
Since graduating as a Psychologist in the early 1980’s Freda has pursued both a career and voluntary service in the disability and human services sector, community development, change management and road safety.  She is an active citizen at a state and national level.  Freda’s current Board positions include; Councillor and past President of the RACWA; member and Chair of Therapy Focus Inc.; and member of the National Road Safety council.  From 2004-2010 Freda was also a Lotterywest Commissioner which gave her an incredible insight and knowledge of the WA community.  Freda achieved the status of being the first female to hold the position President of the RACWA (2005-2007) and of the Australian Automobile Association (2008-2010).  To achieve balance and flexibility to respond to the needs of her family and her board positions Freda is the Client Services Director in her husband’s Accounting and Financial Planning firm.