Completing the Horizons Program—one of Compass Group Australia’s (CGA) premier leadership and development courses—was a transformative experience for Project Manager Lisa-Keri Jenness. The program challenged participants to develop real-world solutions and pitch them to CGA’s Leadership team. Lisa-Keri’s proposal was to bring the Boddington District High School canteen back to life after a long period of closure. It was a project aimed at not only providing students with nutritious meals but also creating pathways for local youth employment.
A Community-Driven Vision
The idea was first sparked in early 2024 when Lisa-Keri saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact. After the Boddington Police Department approached CGA to explore ways to support at-risk young people through training and workplace exposure, she reached out to Danielle Roach, Principal of Boddington District High School, to discuss potential initiatives.
“I sat down with Danielle to explore how we could support her students and the wider community,” Lisa-Keri shares. “She told me about their school canteen, which had been closed for two years, leaving students without access to regular meals. We knew reviving it would be a major undertaking, but true to CGA’s Purpose to serve a better future, we were driven by the impact it could have on the school, students and families.”
After pitching the idea in the Horizon’s Program, Lisa-Keri had the full support of the Leadership team and rallied the ESS team at Boddington Village who were eager to help bring the canteen back to life. Over the course of a year, the team collaborated with the Shire of Boddington to secure a food licence, set up an online ordering platform, and get everything in place. Everyone pitched in, from Safety and Housekeeping to Minesite Supervisors.
“The team got their Working with Children checks and completed training so they could help prepare meals and connect with students and staff,” Lisa-Keri shares. “To ensure the canteen offered a student-friendly menu, we also collaborated with Chartwells—CGA’s education sector—to develop options students would love. Finally, through a partnership with William Angliss Institute, I created a tailored Certificate III program, giving young people in the community the opportunity to gain practical experience at the Village site.”
Turning Vision into Reality
On 14 February 2025, after 12 months of hard work, the big day finally arrived. Boddington District High School’s Canteen reopened to a warm community welcome with students, staff and local leaders, including stakeholders from Newmont and Boddington Police, all there to celebrate the milestone. CGA team members from across the country came together in support, reflecting the collective effort behind the project. Principal Danielle Roach summed up the day perfectly, calling it the “best first day ever”.
Nic Harrington, Area Manager, reflected on the project’s success, saying, “This initiative is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved. The success of this project belongs to Lisa-Keri, and we are all incredibly proud of the journey she and her team at Boddington have taken to bring this vision to life.”
The canteen now serves meals to 350 children each week and has quickly become a vibrant hub for the school and wider community. Plans are underway to expand the menu, including the exciting addition of a sushi roll machine, offering a fresh and unique food option for Boddington while keeping affordability a priority. True to the project’s community-driven spirit, any profits will be reinvested directly into the school and local initiatives, further strengthening its positive impact.
With the canteen now successfully launched, the team is focused on the next phases. “First, our TasteLife Coordinators, health and wellness specialists, will engage with the community through sports days. Then, in collaboration with Boddington Police, we’ll facilitate hospitality training for local young people, giving them hands-on experience at Boddington Village and setting them on a path to employment,” Lisa-Keri shares. “With the support of Newmont, young trainees will gain valuable experience through placements at Boddington Village.”
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Lisa-Keri reflects. “Knowing that the profits go directly back to the school and student initiatives makes it even more rewarding. We’re excited for what’s next.”
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