When Chinova Resources needed a new approach to camp catering and facilities management, they turned to Cater Care as their new partner of choice among mining camp catering companies to deliver quality change without disturbing their daily operations. For a mining camp in a remote Australian location, food and accommodation are central to morale, productivity, and wellbeing, so it was essential to get this right, not just on day one, but for the long run.
Like many companies searching for reliable remote catering companies in Australia, Chinova Resources had some clear priorities for their new provider. They were looking for consistently fresh, high-quality meals, strong leadership with well-trained staff, and confidence that facilities and accommodation would be managed to a high standard. Most importantly, they needed a proactive partner they could trust with the long-term wellbeing of their workforce.
In short, they needed a provider who would be both reliable and innovative, lifting the daily living experience of their workforce while building confidence that long-term needs would be met.
And winning this trust didn’t happen overnight. Through an open partnership approach of working lunches, site visits, and client references, we showed that we could deliver on their priorities and work with them as a partner on the service they needed. By the time transition day came, Chinova knew they were in safe hands.
As Phil Fairweather, former Chinova CFO, recalls:
“Day one, there was a new food offering. The look and feel was changed.”
And for Jacine Reading, who manages logistics, site access, and accommodation at Chinova Resources, Cater Care’s responsiveness quickly stood out and was what she needed for effective work in her operations.
“Part of that process is obviously my interaction with Cater Care. Whenever we’ve asked anything of them, there’s never any issue. It’s always prompt delivery.”
Mobilisation was our chance to show why Cater Care is trusted among leading mining camp catering companies. Our mobilisation team worked overnight to ensure everything was in place by sunrise so camp life could go on without disruption, starting with breakfast service.
Phil highlights the experience:
“There were some very simple changes, the likes of having individual labels sitting above your food offerings, which we hadn’t had before. A small thing, but it made a difference, and it was a visible change.”
And this transformation extended beyond the dining hall. While food and presentation was a big part of our first change over, we wanted to ensure the accommodation received a refresh that lifted the camp’s overall atmosphere.
“The biggest thing of course was people walking into their rooms — the bed linen was new, it was clean, it was fresh, it was crisp.” —Phil
The response from staff and contractors was instant and enthusiastic.
“They went and got their meals and they went wow, this is good. Overall, there was a marked difference in the atmosphere because there was satisfaction from our staff and from our other contractors.” —Phil
This kind of collaboration is what sets apart a true contract catering company, with a partner that makes ongoing support simple. For Chinova’s operations team, the most valuable difference was how easy and collaborative the relationship felt. Open communication between Cater Care’s on-site and off-site management meant issues were resolved quickly, and new ideas could be easily explored.
As Jacine said:
“It’s really just a continuation of what we’re doing—that open communication, the relationship we’ve built between both on-site and off-site management, it’s good. Any issues, or if there’s something new we want to implement, it’s just a matter of picking up the phone and having a conversation. So look, very happy with the results.”
That open communication hasn’t faded. It continues to underpin the way Cater Care and Chinova work together today.
This experience reflects what we aim to deliver across all our sites as one of the leading remote catering companies in Australia—building remote communities where camp life supports wellbeing and productivity: Way Out West: Building Remote Communities through Camp Catering Services.
What began as a smooth transition has grown into a lasting partnership, one that continues to deliver the same quality, freshness, and responsiveness that Chinova values today.
You can see more of Chinova’s story in their full testimonial video here.
It’s all part of our broader commitment to creating experiences beyond camp catering, like our RISE Health & Lifestyle Program.
From transition to today, and in the future, Cater Care is committed to being the partner of choice among mining camp catering companies, helping to build thriving remote communities. We understand that change in a remote camp environment must be frictionless, visible, and long-lasting.
With fresh food offerings, strong working relationships, and excellent facilities management to our site partnerships, we pride ourselves on delivering improvements from day one and across the tenure. After all, it’s your team’s home away from home, and it needs to be right.
