Compass Group Australia (CGA) is so proud of the work our teams do every day to Serve a Better Future, for people, communities and our planet. Their commitment drives everything we do, and each year we celebrate that dedication through our Star Awards, with ceremonies held across the country. From this pool of winners, our Australian Leadership Team selects four exceptional individuals and teams whose passion, impact and innovation truly embody our values. Learn more about two of them below.
Star Awards National Leader of the Year
Yvonne Atkinson – ESS Defence
Our National Leader of the Year Award celebrates someone who leads from the front. In 2025, that person is Yvonne Atkinson, who proudly took home the top honour.
Starting with CGA as Site Operations Manager at HMAS Kuttabul in 2006, Yvonne managed seven locations under a new Defence contract. Fast forward nearly 20 years, and Yvonne now leads the entire Defence sector as General Manager – Defence.
“We learn and work together as one team, regularly attending forums to share and discuss solutions. In Defence, our teams deliver extraordinary service, whether it’s supporting troops during major exercises in while they’re away from home or hosting a Garden Party for Princess Anne.”
Yvonne received multiple nominations for this year’s Star Awards, a testament of her impact across the business. Known for her open and approachable leadership style, she’s always willing to listen and guide, even on matters outside her portfolio. Her passion for quality shines through in everything her team delivers.
Yvonne received multiple nominations for this year’s Star Awards, a testament of her impact across the business. Known for her open and approachable leadership style, she’s always willing to listen and guide, even on matters outside her portfolio. Her passion for quality shines through in everything her team delivers.
Looking ahead, Yvonne’s focus is on transitioning and mobilising the new contract that has secured our Defence partnership for another six years.
“Being at the signing was one of my proudest achievements,” Yvonne reflects.
“Now, the real work begins. We’re preparing to double our workforce from 850 to 1,700 employees, retain 34 major bases, and expand to more than 400 depots across NSW, ACT and QLD. That means sourcing 170 vehicles, new technology, uniforms and equipment, all to ensure we deliver on our promise.”
Star Awards National Site of the Year
Flight Centre – Restaurant Associates
Our National Site of the Year Award recognises a team that truly does it all. In 2025, we were thrilled to celebrate two deserving winners: the ESS team at BHP – Olympic Dam and Restaurant Associates team at Flight Centre’s Head Office in Brisbane.
For nearly nine years, this team has partnered with Flight Centre to create standout culinary experiences and innovative food offerings. Led by Frankee Walker, Key Accounts Manager, the team manages everything from daily café operations to large-scale events for both their client and external businesses.
“The scope is enormous,” Frankee explains.
“It can be a casual BBQ one day to an elegant degustation dinner for 300 guests another. For events, we have the opportunity to completely transform the venue into something spectacular, like a red-carpet evening. Employees are always amazed by what we’re able to do with the same place that they grab their coffees and toasties from each day.”
For Frankee, the award is a testament to her team’s resilience and creativity. “Each week, the team serves up 80 kilos of coffee, runs a thriving grab-and-go range and manages a pre-order app that lets customers skip the queue and collect their coffee or food on arrival. Then there’s Friday happy hours, global cuisine specials and wellness events… the team works hard and always stays until the job’s done.”
Strong client relationships have been key to their success. Flight Centre sees the team as an extension of their own, even inviting them to global events. “That trust doesn’t happen overnight,” Frankee notes.
“We’ve built genuine relationships and are well-aligned. We see how Flight Centre rewards and recognises their people, and we’re included in that because they see us as part of their team. It helps us understand their culture and set the standard for how we recognise our own people.”
Learn more about our National Purpose Award winner, Lisa-Keri Jenness and the Boddington Village team here.
