Robert Mcfarlane

Department of Health

I went to Darwin High School, and started work in the Darwin Commonwealth Health Laboratory on 29 November 1972, after studying Biochemistry at the University of Queensland. Apart from two years at University of Western Australia for an M.Sc. (Clinical Biochemistry), I have been a scientist in the Commonwealth and NT pathology service ever since.

Darwin has been the best place in the world to bring up four children, with my wives Patricia, then Elizabeth (who both died of cancer).

Pathology fifty years ago was fairly primitive compared to today. I think I have made some contributions to its development over the decades, and we now provide a service of the highest technological and professional standard.