At Bundaberg Christian College, the team at Rise Café are proving what passion, teamwork and consistency can achieve.
Led by Café Manager, Lienkie, with her right-hand team members Lydia and Bec, this trio have built something truly special – a thriving tuckshop that feeds over 800 students, three days a week and brings joy to the school community with every order.
When Lienkie joined the café in 2020 after migrating with her family from South Africa, she brought with her a wealth of experience as a cake maker and catering manager. But her start wasn’t easy – she began right after Covid closures, with little handover and a lot to learn.
“I had to rely on volunteers to show me the ropes in those first few weeks,” she reflected.
“It was certainly a learning curve, and I had to pick it all up quickly.”
Still, with determination and a love for food and business, she got to work.
Within a year, sales had doubled.
The café’s growing success allowed her to bring Lydia on board in 2021, and later, Bec in early 2025. Together, they’ve become an unstoppable force.
“The three of us have become great friends,” said Lienkie.
“We share our lives, talk about our kids, and have a great time in the tuckshop.”
Their recipe for success? Consistency and care. Students and staff know they’ll get what they ordered, on time, with a smile. The tuckshop is reliable, friendly and flexible – the kind of place people genuinely enjoy visiting.
The team cater to their audience – offering two sizes to suit primary and secondary student needs, as well as a raft of variations and substitutions to accommodate even the fussiest eaters.
And their hard work has paid off in more ways than one. In 2024, Lienkie discovered the tuckshop was running at a significant loss. Refusing to give up, she reviewed suppliers, negotiated better deals, and gradually adjusted prices in consultation with the school community.
By late 2025, the tuckshop was back in the black– now breaking even and on track for a small profit.
“It’s so rewarding to see the growth in our tuckshop,” said Lienkie.
“I always get great feedback. A staff member once told me this was the best tuckshop they’d ever seen.”
The team is always thinking ahead. They’re preparing to launch a student menu competition, giving students the chance to submit their own meal ideas, with the winning entry earning a free lunch of their creation.
They’re also planning to expand opening days to five per week in 2026, introduce more fresh over-the-counter options, and create a menu that better caters to staff.
For Lienkie, who juggles the tuckshop with raising four children and working part-time as a teacher aide, it’s all about community and creativity.
“I love making different menus and thinking of new ideas,” she said.
“The school environment is great, and the people make it even better.”
With their warm smiles, strong teamwork and unwavering commitment, the Rise Café team at Bundaberg Christian College have turned a struggling tuckshop into a shining example of what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
