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!

Sheena Amers has completed her Chef Apprenticeship in record time.

WORSLEY, WA - In a project and company first, newly qualified Cater Care Chef, Sheena Amers has completed her chef’s apprenticeship becoming the first female apprentice to gain a trade qualification at Cater Care operations in southern Western Australia.

Sheena’s achievement meant that she was able to complete her chef apprenticeship in just 21 months, almost a year and a half earlier than the usual 36 months.

At 26 years of age, Sheena, has been employed with Cater Care since employed April 2009 and has risen to every challenge set forth by her site management.

Ms Amers, whose favourite aspect of cooking is pastries, said she appreciated the opportunities afforded to her by Cater Care and the Western Australian project.

Ian Morrison, Sheena’s on site Project Manager stated “It was Sheena’s commitment to her work and her passion for food that has helped her develop into a brilliant chef”. You can put Sheena up against any chef and she will show up every one of them.” he said.

David Rodgers, Head Chef, Lake Vermont Village receiving the 2011 Golden Tongs Award

DYSART, QLD – Cater Care Chef and long-term employee, David Rodgers of Lake Vermont Village in Queensland, has proven he had just the right ingredients to become the 2011 Dysart Community Support Group “My BBQ Rules” Champion at this year’s BBQ cook-off, held in May.

Competing on the lawn of Dysart Golf Club, the competition saw competitors from ESS, Country Roads Hotel, Norwich Park Mine, Saraji Mine, BMA and Dysart School given 45 minutes to complete their first BBQ based dish.

David, focusing on Cater Care’s Fresh Food Policy created a Spiced Veal Cutlet, served on Fondant Potato with Warm Tomato, Rocket & Feta Salad, easily winning over the judges in the first heat easily knocking out representatives from ESS and Country Roads Hotel.

It was then on to the final round where David and two finalists from Norwich Park Mine and Dysart School had to create the Ultimate Burger from a choice of basket ingredients. Given 30 minutes to prepare and deliver, David created a Cajun Spiced Burger on Turkish Bread with Tomato & Onion Jam.

General Manager – Eastern Australia Operations, Christine Charlton said “David’s success at the BBQ cook off takes Cater Care to our second victory in as many years in the “My BBQ Rules” Competition. Cater Care love the opportunity to compete in this local community event and will be back in 2012 to defend our title.”

David was awarded the Dysart Golden Tongs for 2011 and received a restaurant voucher for his efforts.

Cater Care is supporting the preservation of the 'Miners Bush Hut' artwork through the Queensland Museum

BRISBANE, QLD – Cater Care Services has shown their support of Queensland’s history by sponsoring the Queensland Museum’s Queensland DNA Program.

Cater Care is supporting the preservation of the ‘Miners Bush Hut’ artwork in this year’s DNA Program. This hand coloured photograph, ‘Miners Bush Hut’, was taken by pioneering Australian geologist and photographer Richard Daintree.

Richard Daintree (1832 – 1878) was born at Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdonshire, England and educated at Christ’s College, Cambridge. In 1852 he travelled to Victoria for the gold rush. Unsuccessful as a prospector, he tried his hand at geology, working for the Victorian Geological Survey. He returned to England in 1856 and spent a year studying assaying and metallurgy at the Royal London School of Mines Laboratory. While in London he became interested in photography and upon his return to Victoria, he pioneered the use of photography in his geological field work.

In 1864 Daintree relocated his family to a pastoral settlement near Burdekin in North Queensland. This previously unexplored landscape provided ample opportunities for his two passions – photography and prospecting. He added colour to many of his black and white images by having them over-painted by London experts.

Jeff Hayes, Chief Operating Officer stated “Cater Care Services is a proud Queensland business and to be able to support the Queensland Museum is a privilege for our company. Our accommodation services and the expectations of miners have advanced somewhat since the 1800’s, but their dedication to building a successful Queensland remains. This is an important part of Queensland’s history and we are proud to support the museum.”

Daintree’s spectacular images provide a vivid picture of life in Queensland during the prospecting boom of the 1860s and 1870s.
To read more on the Queensland Museum’s Queensland DNA program visit their website at http://www.qlddna.com.au/