From humble beginnings
Established in 1966 as Morris Catering by former owner David Morris, the company quickly realised the potential in supporting larger industrial and remote sites.
Having established itself as an industry leader, Morris prospered with new opportunities both in Australia and overseas, including winning contracts in Indonesia, South China, Somalia, Iraq, and Papua New Guinea.
Robert McVicker orchestrated a management buyout of Morris Catering in 1995 from the Morris family, and Aaron, one of David’s sons, continued to run the international side of the business, which was set up in Somalia. Robert returned from Somalia with the Morris Catering name and rebuilt the company on Australian shores. Morris Catering was incorporated in 1996.
Winning larger remote contracts such as the Alice Springs to Darwin Rail Project and the Millmerran Power Station in 2002, demonstrates its status as a major player in the Australian remote facilities management sector. Today, Morris’ Australian CEO, Fiona Berkin, heads a team of executives and 1000+ employees.
Timeline Highlights
| 1966 | Established in New Zealand (NZ) by David Morris |
| 1970 | Won multiple international contracts, countries including South China and Indonesia |
| 1980s | Won multiple contracts in Central Queensland |
| 1981 | Contracts in Middle East |
| Head Office moved to Blackwater | |
| 1988 | Won contract for Expo ‘88 |
| 1991 | UN Contract Cambodia – 16,000 troops |
| 1993 | UN Contract Somalia – 32,000 troops |
| Tyson Morris lost his life in Somalian ambush during delivery | |
| 1994 | Built water bottling plant in Somalia |
| 1995 | David Morris (owner) lost his life in South Somalia |
| New contract in Yemen | |
| 1996 | Robert McVicker approved for management buyout |
| Morris Catering incorporated as Morris Corporation | |
| Holds 5 Australian contracts | |
| 1997 | Won contracts in East Timor |
| 2000 | Won Iraq contract for 12,000 US troops |
| 2001 | Secured the ADrail project as “FM” provider |
| 2002 | Won Bechtel Millmerran Power Station project contract, 1400 person village |
| 2003
2007 |
Western Australian branch established
Won 4 X Rail Camps, Cloudbreak to Port Hedland Rail Project |
| 2008 | Won FMG Cloudbreak contract, 1700 person village |
| 2009 | Expanded contract to include FMG Christmas Creek Village |
| 2010
2011 |
Morris Ranked 12 on the Q400 List The working communities Morris sustains increased by 4000 people. Employee levels in Australia increased to over 1000 |