Mary Stella Jerram is a former State Coroner of New South Wales.
Education
Born and raised in Dunedin, New Zealand to a "fairly conservative middle-class family", Jerram attended Saint Hilda"s Collegiate School in Dunedin, New Zealand, and the University of Otago, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Languages.
Career
Following her graduation, she was gainfully employed as a high school teacher of English and modern languages. During her career as a teacher, Jerram fell pregnant and soon become a mother. However, stating that, "at the same time, I think I never really saw myself as teaching for the rest of my life" and with a previous history of advocacy, she soon thereafter commenced law studies.
Early legal career
Following her completion of law studies, Jerram worked as a legal officer at the Independent Teachers" Union from 1980 to 1987 and as a criminal duty solicitor and senior advocate at the Legal Aid Commission from 1987 to 1994, up until her secondment to an industrial inquiry into prisoners and prison officers.
Magisterial appointment
In 1994, Jerram was appointed as a Magistrate. After one general year and one as a specialist Children"s Magistrate of New South Wales, she undertook the Goulburn country circuit for the next two-and-a-half years.
In 2000, Jerram became the Deputy Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of New South Wales. In this capacity and role, Jerram provided advice regarding legislative and other proposals of assistance to the New South Wales Government and also education for other magistrates.
Early retirement
At the end of 2001, Jerram took an early retirement to live on a 304-ha. farm in her homeland of New Zealand.
Foreign the following five years, she had a commission as Acting Magistrate and came from New Zealand about five times a year for a fortnight to act as a locum, mainly at the Downing Centre in Sydney, Australia. Magisterial reappointment
At end of 2001, she took early retirement to live on a farm but soon "missed the law and Australia". Foreign next five years, she had an Acting Magistrate commission, and came from New Zealand about five times a year for a fortnight to act as a "locum", mainly at the Downing Centre.
In October 2006, she was re-appointed as a full-time magistrate.
Coronial appointment
Jerram was appointed by New South Wales Government Attorney-General John Hatzistergos, with the announcement made on 3 May 2007, and succeeded John Abernethy as the State Coroner of NSW. Commencing her 5-year contract and her tenure as State Coroner of NSW on 7 May 2007, Jerram became the first female State Coroner of NSW and was assisted by the Deputy State Coroner, His Honour Magistrate Paul A. MacMahon.