The Centre for Remote Health has had a presence in Katherine since the appointment of a Lecturer, Shaun Ewen, in 2001. The Centre substantially increased its presence in the Katherine region in March 2003 with the appointment of Associate Professor Elizabeth Chalmers as the Head of Unit, Katherine.

Elizabeth was subsequently joined by Christine Clarence (Lecturer), Marianne Bookallil (Public Health Medicine Registrar) and Phil Entwistle (Research Fellow). Both Phil and Marianne moved on – Phil to the Alice Springs campus and Marianne to Darwin to complete her training. Phil spent two years with CRH in Alice Springs and recently returned to Katherine to fill Christine’s position while she spends two years with UNICEF in Nepal. This team was joined by Alun Williams (Senior Lecturer) in May 2007, shortly before Elizabeth Chalmers retired. Alun is currently acting as Head of the Katherine Unit. The unit also has a part time Administration Officer, Parvina de Beer.

Currently located within the O’Keefe House on the Katherine Hospital campus, CRH Katherine Unit has been established and expanded at a time of rapid and significant health service development in the region. CRH Katherine staff have been engaged in a series of health service and program evaluations.

Linkages have been firmly established with other research agencies - Menzies School of Health Research (MSHR) and the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health (CRCAH) - and with local health services.