Karratha

Karratha is calling for people who thrive on adventure and love to wander out yonder. Situated on the West Pilbara coast, Karratha is the gateway to the Burrup Peninsula, Dampier Archipelago and Karijini National Park. The traditional owners of the lands located within The City of Karratha are the Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi, Martuthunia and Yaburara peoples. Nearby towns include Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, and Cossack.

Established in 2006, the RCSWA Karratha office is within walking distance of the Karratha Health Campus. The office is a space where students can relax or study with access to computers, photocopiers, a resource library, and practical skills equipment. Tutorials are held twice weekly, either at the office or the Karratha Health Campus.

Accommodation and Transport

Karratha RCSWA has one fully equipped five-bedroom house, approximately five minutes’ drive from both the office and the hospital. The house has a below-ground swimming pool. There is a Prado available for student use for placement at Roebourne and Onslow. Otherwise, students need their own car to get around.
Health Services

The newly built Karratha Health Campus is a state-of-the-art hospital that opened in 2018. Students attend Sonic Health Karratha for their GP rotation and Mawarankarra Aboriginal Health Service in Roebourne for their Aboriginal health work. Most of the clinical rotations are at Karratha Health Campus: obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, paediatrics, emergency department and surgery.
Extra Activities
Karratha is a dynamic town that is constantly evolving, with an abundance of sporting, social and cultural clubs, opportunities for volunteerism, and a community that is dedicated to making Karratha a great place to live, work and play.

Karratha has a modern town centre with many restaurants, cafes and bars to enjoy, with the Red Earth Arts Precinct offering theatre productions, concerts and a movie theatre. Sport is huge in Karratha, with a variety of sports available to play at the Karratha Leisureplex and just off the coast lies the Dampier Archipelago, with lots of islands to explore and great fishing.

Find out more about Karratha and all that it has to offer by visiting the following links:
- Karratha is calling
- Australia’s Northwest

Pilbara has amazing cultural and natural wonders to offer for those who are willing to explore a little off the beaten track. It's great for couples and young families. Life is slow and easy here and I think you have more time to reflect and savour the little joys of life. Lucia Wang
Medical Coordinator, Karratha

Staff Profiles

Medical Coordinator, Karratha
Cherelle Fitzclarence

Cherelle is a rural generalist GP with skills in family medicine, forensic medicine, emergency medicine and administration. Inspired by her rural GP uncle, she decided at five years of age that she wanted to do medicine and did not waver. Cherelle is currently the Senior Medical Officer for WACHS West Pilbara and can be found at Karratha Hospital combining clinical medicine with administration or out and about around the other hospital sites of West Pilbara.

What I love about the RCSWA
I have always had a passion for education and have been involved with the School since it first started in the Kimberley region 20 years ago. I love watching students develop their skills and having lifetime friends and colleagues. In addition, I highly value the RCSWA team and am delighted to be part of it.

Medical Coordinator, Karratha
Lucia Wang

Lucia first visited the Pilbara as a medical student on John Flynn Rural Placement during medical school. She thoroughly enjoyed her stay and the clinical experience; so much so, she came back for more during her intern and resident years. This turned into rural GP training and she has been in the Pilbara full time ever since. Lucia currently lives and works in Karratha and previously lived in Hedland for two years.

What I love about the RCSWA
I work half time in the hospital and the other in general practice and with RCSWA. It gives me a good work-life balance and allows me to still be a mum to my toddler boy. Plus, I work with a wonderful team of colleagues both at the hospital and RCSWA.

Academic Services Officer, Karratha
Lehna McLean

Lehna coordinates all aspects of the academic year for students studying in Karratha and works to ensure students have a positive experience academically, clinically and socially. She gives advice and guidance to students along the way to support their return to the region to work as rural doctors. Lehna moved to Karratha at the end of 2020 and began working at the RCSWA straight away.

What I love about the RCSWA
It's great that RCSWA provides a pathway for students who want to become regional doctors - RCSWA plays an important role in contributing to doctors living and working in regional areas which is vital for the wellbeing and quality of life for regional people.