Welcome to the ARC Link newsletter
Welcome to ARC's internal newsletter, designed to connect and unite our staff across the organisation! This newsletter is your go-to source for the latest updates, exciting initiatives, and stories that showcase the incredible work happening every day within our teams. Please continue using ARC Teams announcements; we're simply capturing our positive news stories in this newsletter for email users as well. If you would like something included please reach out to communications@armidale.nsw.gov.au
TeamARC gathered alongside the family and friends of new citizens to celebrate at Town Hall yesterday!
44 people received their citizenship at Armidale Town Hall yesterday, including one of the extended TeamARC family.
Mike Brooks, please extend our congratulations to Margaret!
Citizenship Ceremonies are very special moments in the council (and our community's) calendar, and like other council-led events demonstrate the great value of TeamARC collaboration in their delivery.
The comms team loves the chance to deliver these events, and we're grateful to collaborate with the fantastic caretakers' team that make it happen. (Thank you, Bernard Maurer and Ram Thapa, for all your support yesterday). Thanks also to Darren Schaefer for stepping in as MC.
Watch this space! We expect that our next Citizenship Ceremony in October will feature two members of TeamARC amongst the list of new citizens.
Move over McEnroe: Comms team takes on pickleball!
The Communications and Engagement Team has officially entered its pickleball era. Armed with paddles, questionable footwork, and a very loose understanding of the rules, they hit the court this week for a bit of team bonding and a lot of laughter.
While no trophies were awarded (unless you count the unofficial “Most Missed Shots” won by junior tennis prodigy Jo Harrison), they did discover that the team is surprisingly competitive when it comes to tiny paddles and plastic balls. Think less Roger Federer, more Roger Flail-er.
Now we’re throwing down the (pickleball) gauntlet: any other department brave enough to face us on the court? Whether you're in IT, Waste, Parks, or Finance - we’re ready. Come for the sport, stay for the banter.
Game on, #TeamARC. Let’s rally! Reach out to Comms if you dare...
Swapping roles and swapping shoes...
The Customer Service Teams has kicked off a great initiative to give different team within #TeamARC the chance to experience 'a day in the life of' another team.
According to Kaycee Wadley, the Customer Service team regularly engages in phone conversations with the Water & Wastewater team to report leaks and sewer overflows, but most people in the teams haven’t met face-to-face. To address that, she and Mark Byrne arranged that the people swap roles for a day to experience a council day in someone else's shoes!
This swap is all about breaking down silos, getting a glimpse into each other’s daily work, and putting real names (and faces!) to people. Kaycee and Mark hope that the job swaps will help build stronger relationships, while people gain insight into the daily responsibilities and pressures each team navigates as they support our community.
This week, Liam Crespo and Braeden DeCosta spent a day in Customer Service to experience life on the front line. Meanwhile, Caitlin Doughan and Lyn Bourke joined Jason Campbell, Andy Hutchinson and Gerard Bourke in the field to learn how issues like leaks are tackled.
Swaps between the two teams will continue over the next few weeks.
ARC launches inaugural culture induction day
Today (Thursday) we held our very first Culture Induction Day - a dedicated session for our newest recruits to dive deeper into why culture is at the heart of everything we do.
Annie gave a fantastic overview of ARC’s journey and how #teamARC has evolved. We also heard some great stories from former OPARC members about their experiences and wrapped things up with a site tour across our ARC facilities.
Huge thanks to everyone who joined in - it was such a positive and engaged group to kick off this new initiative with. And of course, a massive shoutout to Annie and the P&C team for pulling it all together!
Reach out for graphic design service
Just a quick reminder that the Communications and Engagement Team provides a graphic design service to support your projects, events, reports, and communications across the organisation. Whether you need help with posters, social media graphics, branding elements, or layout design - our team is here to assist!
To access this service, simply submit a request via communications@armidale.nsw.gov.au Please include as much detail as possible and allow a minimum of two weeks lead time to help us meet your needs effectively. PLEASE NOTE: We do have a limited budget for contractor services so if your project is grant funded, we will ask for the project to budget for graphic design.
We’re here to help bring your ideas to life and ensure your materials are on-brand, professional, and engaging.
Thanks,
Communications and Engagement Team
Celebrating 40 years of service at council
This week we congratulate David Leitinger for an extraordinary milestone - 40 years of service!
David’s commitment, leadership, and integrity have left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him in his time with both the Guyra Shire Council and here at ARC.
His contributions have shaped not only the success of our operations but also the culture of respect and teamwork we value so deeply. Your journey is a testament to loyalty, hard work, and the power of leading by example. Thank you for your decades of service, your dedication to your role here at council!
Training opportunity available
Please see below Training Program (Double Diploma Program - BSB50420 Leadership and Management and BSB50120 Diploma of Business (Operations) offered by Local Government Procurement.
For your information, budget consideration or simply to discuss with Management as part of your personal development click here: Double Diploma Program Leadership and Management and Business (Applications Invited for Aug-Sep 2025 Intake).msg
