Strong & sustainable ARC Justice

Outcome 8

Expert and engaged team making a real-world difference

We support and grow our team to be engaged in work they find rewarding – where we are proud to say we work for ARC Justice.

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ARC’s team has grown significantly from July 2023 to July 2024. All staff are in permanent and ongoing positions. The latest staff survey reported above industry standard for staff alignment and engagement, with significantly high results in the areas of autonomy, well-being and “pride” in working for the organisation.

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We’ve established practice-based teams where new-career and experienced lawyers are supported by paralegals and accomplished managing lawyers and invested in a multi-disciplinary team, improving our capacity to support clients.

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We’ve invested in systems and functions that better measure and communicate our impact and enhanced our climate justice capability in recognition that the climate crisis is already significantly impacting access to justice for rural and regional communities.

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To achieve this outcome, we will track:

Employee engagement and retention.

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We are committed to providing excellent services to our communities and this demands team members who are supported to develop expertise as well as a drive for increasing justice. Read Nicole’s story to see how ARC supports employees throughout their careers

Next outcome

A man wearing glasses and a light blue shirt, speaks into a microphone while gesturing during a roundtable discussion. Papers, coffee cups, and plates with food are on the table, and participants are seen in the background.

ARC Justice Climate Lead Jack Piper.

Outcome 9

Sustainable, reliable, effective and responsible organisation

We value a healthy risk culture and a commitment to transparency and accountability to communities as well as to our funders.

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Our funding has grown steadily in recent years, from $3.8m in FY22, $4.7m in FY23, $7.4m in FY24 to $8.3m in FY25.

Download our 2023/24 financial statements.

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We’ve strengthened the organisation at every level – from an updated constitution, new funding streams, renovated office spaces, new hybrid fleet vehicles and new IT hardware and software.

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The implementation of our strategy has included a new risk management framework and our impact framework – overseen by a refreshed and committed board with diverse skills and experience – is setting ARC Justice up for strong and sustainable performance.

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To achieve this outcome, we will track:

Performance in annual external audits.
Progress towards our Reconciliation commitments.
Our environmental impact.

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Our board and leadership are proud of the ambitious and intentional work done over the past year, establishing the groundwork for increased impact.

A formal group portrait of ARC Justice’s board and leadership team, standing together in a well-lit outdoor setting, dressed professionally.

From left, People and Culture Director Jenny Cobby, new board member Rebecca Hearn, Director of Legal Practice Dr Rebecca Edwards, returning board member Erin Turner, departing board member Kate Scarce, returning board members Melinda Charlesworth, Ed Butler and Clare Fountain, CEO Damian Stock, returning board members Sarah Gee and Melissa Ralph, Strategy and Impact Director Kate Clohesy, returning board member Narlinga Morgan and new board member Ian Heycox.

From student to accredited specialist

Nicole Day has built her legal career from the ground up at ARC Justice, transforming her passion for community legal work into leadership and advocacy.

Born and raised in Bendigo, Nicole – now ARC Justice’s Managing Lawyer (Families) – connected with ARC in 2011 through volunteering and then placement while studying law at La Trobe.

Then taught by Dr Rebecca Edwards, now ARC Justice’s Director of Legal Practice, Nicole spent 12 weeks providing family violence court support. “I fell in love with the work and the community legal sector more broadly when I saw the real-world difference I could make,” she recalls.

‍Determined to stay involved, Nicole volunteered at both ARC Justice’s night service and daytime programs during her studies, worked short contracts in the sector and joined ARC part-time in 2015, just a few months after being admitted, then full-time in 2016.

As well as lawyering, Nicole has held a variety of roles at ARC, which deepened her understanding of the sector.

In 2018, Nicole began practicing in child protection law, a field where she discovered her passion. Progressing to Senior Lawyer in 2020, Nicole recently became Managing Lawyer (Families) as part of ARC’s organisational realignment.

In 2024, Nicole achieved specialist accreditation as a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Children’s Law and now leads a team of 12. Nicole says her career trajectory reflects a culture of professional excellence and personal enrichment that makes ARC special.

“I’ve always felt supported to stretch myself and as we continue to grow our Families practice, I’m keen to get more involved in the policy advocacy side … because ultimately, we’re all here to get better outcomes for our clients.”

A woman wearing glasses is seated at a desk, with a laptop, looking at camera and presenting a brochure.

ARC Justice’s Managing Lawyer (Families) Nicole Day