Throughout Cater Care we embrace many of these different cultures through the diversity of our staff community and our Sydney office is a fantastic example of our multi-cultural society. In that office we now have Afghans, Chinese, Greek, English, Syrian, Samoan, Canadian, Egyptian and Australian.

They recently celebrated Harmony Day with a luncheon in the office in recognition of the rich cultural diversity among their staff. Everyone contributed a dish from their culture, resulting in an exciting culinary experience that delighted the taste buds of all.

The talented indigenous artists from the local area were invited by Hardy Derschow Indigenous Liaison and Relief Site Manager at Kangaroo Hill Village in conjunction with Cater Care Services who helped set up the venue. The artists were warmly welcomed with refreshments prepared by our staff.

Once all the artwork was presented, the artists provided a detailed description in writing of the artwork as well as the certificates of authenticity.

The Roebourne Art Group sold  $8,000.00 worth of artwork, a fantastic result for the night.

We had a great response to our Step into Summer campaign with many of you registering and stepping your way to a healthier, fitter you.   We’ve collated all the results and were thrilled to see that many of you have significantly increased your average daily stepping total – well done!

The prize for the highest increase in daily steps – a $250 fitness hamper – goes to Gillian Fernando, a CCA employee at Amcor Scoresby in Victoria.   Congratulations Gillian!

Thanks to all who participated – keep stepping!

The health and well being of our staff is important to us and because We care for you our STEP INTO SUMMER  campaign (open to all Cater Care staff) aims to help us consciously increase our daily activity levels and begin a journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

We’re excited that many of our staff have already taken up the challenge and are walking their way to a healthier lifestyle. Remember, any increase in your daily step total is positive progress and activities other than walking count too! Happy stepping everyone! We hope you enjoy the challenge.

Planning for the 2012 Memorial Golf Day, being held on Friday 24th February at Lakelands Golf Club on the Gold Coast, is well under way.

Michael O’Brien was not only a founding Director of Cater Care Australia, but was also one of the founding fathers of Variety – the children’s charity.

Michael brought to Cater Care Australia a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion. He was a man of principles, with a love for his work and a heart full of compassion for others. These characteristics left a legacy beyond value within our company, but were never more evident than in his work with Variety – the children’s charity.

His passion for sick and under-privileged children inspired many and lives on today in the continuing work of Variety.

Cater Care Australia are proud to partner with Variety in the Mike O’Brien Memorial Golf Day.

More information is available by contacting Georgie Benham – Email Georgie@varietyqld.org.au

The Chillagoe community celebrating with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Cater Care has had the honour of accommodating a group of the North Queensland Cowboys at the Kagara Chillagoe Accommodation Village when the team visited the town of of Chillagoe for a community event on the 30th November 2011.

Cowboys players Ashley Graham, Dallas Johnson and Scott Bolton joined Cowboys Coach Neil Henry in an underground tour of the Mungana Mine, tour of the accommodation facilities and opening the local football field.

That evening they participated in a community event at the 10 Acres Sports Oval for the unveiling of the new oval lights which have been built with the assistance of local community residents and businesses. The event included a game of touch football with the local children, a community barbecue catered for by Cater Care Services and an autograph/photograph session.

Cater Care chef Patrick Guerin ensured over 250 local residents, workers, children and players were well catered for.

Cater Care Services is an active supporter of the Chillagoe community providing support through donations and hosting of annual community events. In October of this year they provided financial assistance for the Chillagoe State School to travel to Townsville for a tour of the Cowboys Stadium and Reef HQ.

Christine Charlton, General Manager, Eastern Operations for Cater Care Services said “The Chillagoe Community is dear to all of our hearts at Cater Care and to be able to give back to the local school and students is something we are extremely proud of. We understand living in remote areas can sometimes restrict opportunities for the students so any support we can give is immensely important”.

Chris Wales, National Safety, Health and Environment Manager, Cater Care Services receiving the 2011 NSCA Award of Excellence

SYDNEY, AU - Cater Care has won the ExxonMobil Business Excellence through OHS&E Management Award for taking an off-the-shelf-safety manual and making it a company and industry specific safety, health and environment management system (SHEMS).

Chris Wales, National Safety and Environment Manager of Cater Care Group (pictured) said “The teams’s win brings a “sense of pride” to the company and the individuals on the team. The company’s success is based on it’s Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Management System being built on our core values of Care, Pride and Community” Wales said.

“As a company and as individuals, we value integrity, personal excellence and mutual respect. Our focus on delivering an outstanding and personalised service that we are proud of carried through our SHE management system to the communities amongst which we live and work.

He said the award would encourage everyone to continually improve and maintain a safe working environment.

Remote mining villages set to advance.

PERTH, WA – As remote mining operations continue to grow across Australia, more and more mining companies work harder to attract and retain employees who work in these remote environments.

With food and accommodation the focus on the majority of remote mine villages, it is by far one of the most critical elements mining companies must get right to ensure a happy, healthy and productive workforce.

Cater Care understands this critical element, and has the ability to provide nutritionists, seasonal menus, food courts, farm to fork tracking, healthy choice menus, themes and buffets, branded retail outlets, coffee lounges and more.

Phil Mears, Cater Care Services, Western Australia State Manager has appeared in OUTthere Magazine highlighting the importance of providing quality food and catering services to remote village residents.

To read the article please click here: OUTthere Magazine August 2011 Remote Mining Villages

To understand how Cater Care is able to assist your mining company by providing a full suite of hospitality solutions please visit our services section.

Lake Vermont Mine Manager Colin Mulligan and fellow adventurer Ross Bannerman fly from Mackay to Uluru.

DYSART, QLD – Cater Care Services has pledged their support to two Lake Vermont adventurers, who later this month  will take to the skies in a bid to raise much needed funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

The ten day expedition will see Thiess Lake Vermont Mine Manager Colin Mulligan and fellow adventurer Ross Bannerman fly from Mackay to Uluru in two Gyroplanes. Departing from Mackay airport on the morning of the 23 September the pilots aim to arrive nine days later in Uluru on the 2nd of October 2011.

Cater Care will support the team by providing meal packs for the pilots and support crew as well as providing a financial contribution to the fundraising efforts. Cater Care Lake Vermont Project Manager, Michael Murray said “The team will be fundraising extensively along the route and Cater Care will ensure they are well supported with food and beverage supplies.”

The team is anticipating to land 22 times in various towns, stations and resorts and will have media coverage and GPS tracking devices to enable supporters to follow their progress. Their journey will take them through a multitude of towns including Mackay, Nebo, Moranbah, Clermont, Alpha, Jericho, Barcaldine, Ilfracombe and Longreach, Dalkeith, Brighton Downs, Warra road, Boulia and Glenormiston, Tobermory, Tarlton Downs, Jervois, Indiana, Mt Polhill, Erldundra and finally on to Uluru.

The RFDS are in need of funds to keep their aircraft and crew in the air, servicing the whole of Australia, especially the outback and hard to reach places.

Flying under the motto of; “In the air, because we care” Mr Mulligan stated “We are committed to aid the RFDS in their journey to save lives and render medical assistance for those in need. We sincerely appreciate the support Cater Care is providing in helping us to make this journey possible”. Mr Mulligan will pilot a yellow Magni M22 Italian built Gyroplane and Mr Bannerman a white Dominator Gyrocopter.

To support their efforts please visit their fundraising page.

Cater Care has been operating at Hamilton Motel for our client Fortescue Metals Group since March 2007 and in that time the operation has undergone a number of business challenges including the impact of a huge construction phase, the GFC and now back to another construction phase.

Work started last week on the installation of a further 500 rooms to the motel all of which will be double story accommodation units – which will result in the motel inventory being increased to 950 rooms.

Throughout the many stages of its life the team at Hamilton Motel has maintained a strong safety focus and this month celebrate 3 years LTI free.

The team lead by Hector White and Daniel Parkes is required to complete a number of lead safety indicators every day, including pre start meetings, start cards, safety observations and hazard reports, it is this consistent and committed approach to the daily focus on safety that has resulted in their wonderful achievement.

Cater Care’s National Safety, Health and Environment Manager, Mr Chris Wales confirmed the achievement and stated “Safety is not a job; it is a way of life – this has been demonstrated by the staff at Cater Care’s Hamilton Motel in Port Hedland; through their proactive safety choices they achieved a safety milestone of three years LTI free. A safe team leading the way through Observing and ‘Doing’ the Cater Care safety compliance plans and procedures. Congratulations to all of the staff for this outstanding achievement – everyone going home safe every day”.

Well done and let’s look forward to 4 years!