Catherine Holmes Consulting (CHC)
Led by Dr. Catherine Holmes, CHC assembles multi-disciplinary teams of expert practitioners with the grounded experience and formal education and training to deliver quality project outcomes safely, on time and on budget. We have a deep understanding of the socio-cultural, economic and geo-political contexts that shape the lives of communities and define policy and service provision. Our project outcomes are useful and relevant and can be relied upon to inform decision-making.
CHC has delivered on projects linked to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. We have worked in urban, regional, remote and very remote communities across the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, as well as South East Asia and the Pacific. Our clients have included many non-government Indigenous and mainstream organisations, governments, United Nations (World Health Organization), academic institutions and private enterprises.
Our approach: fostering impact
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We deliver - whether in an urban, regional or remote setting, our projects are always delivered on time and on budget and meet the highest professional standards. We are organised and disciplined and always fulfil our commitments. We communicate effectively with our clients and aim to exceed their expectations.
We buy local – our project resources and consumables are purchased from local enterprises. We place emphasis on supporting locally-owned small business and locally made products.
We spend locally – our team is committed to spending locally, whether it be maintaining property, having a holiday or buying a laksa from the markets.
We invest locally – our team is committed to ensuring our clients have access to the highest quality professional services delivered by people invested in, and committed to, the community. We offer not-for-profit organisations a discount off our standard professional fees.
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We recruit locals – our expert team have lived and worked in the NT for a long time. We have established networks, are exceptionally well qualified and have extensive cumulative local knowledge and grounded experience that benefits our clients and the community through every project.
We support First Nations Peoples and Communities – our team has a long history of working in culturally safe, inclusive and respectful ways with, and for, Aboriginal organisations and communities across the Northern Australia to support cultural maintenance and socio-economic advancement. We provide marginalised and disadvantaged groups with a voice. We up-skill, share knowledge, train and mentor academics, students and community practitioners in a range of settings.
We train locals – we employ and train locals, including under-graduates and graduates to strengthen community capacity and competence across interesting, diverse and complex dimensions of life.
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We strengthen workforce skills and knowledge – by design, our approach to program and service evaluation and (re)design engages practitioners to critically reflect on and improve their practices, building their analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
We enhance local leadership – through membership on the board of non-government organisations and with Australian Institute of Company Director training and resources, we share our governance skills, strategic planning, financial and project management capabilities and expert knowledge in research and evaluation to promote sustainable socio-economic outcomes.
We volunteer and build social capital – through voluntary work, we support higher education students in their research journey, support local businesses during tough times, are active in local sports governance and provide leadership, ongoing management and resources to community committees.