User:Joanne O'Brien/sandbox

William (Bill) Mercer qualified as a Pharmaceutical Chemist (PhC) in 1942, graduating from the Victorian College of Pharmacy. He was employed as a pharmacist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 1942-1948, acting as Senior Pharmacist during two years of this period, then held the position of Chief Pharmacist at The Alfred Hospital from 1948 until 1985.

Bill was an active member of the Victorian Branch of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA), serving terms as Secretary and President from 1945 to 1961. Following formation of the Federal Council of SHPA, he served as a Federal councillor, was a member of the Board of Censors, and was federal Treasurer for a term of 22 years.

Bill had a special interest in pharmacist education and training. He convened the Syllabus and the Conference Agenda Sub-Committees of the Victorian State Branch of SHPA, as well as presenting and publishing educational papers at conferences and in pharmacy journals.