Message from the General Manager
Ask me Anything
As we wrap up 2025, I want to thank each of you for your dedication and hard work. This year has been one of continued challenges and achievements as we strive to make life better for our community.
I’m proud of the culture we’ve built together. Promoting talent from within and supporting career growth across the organisation is a particular passion of mine and the recent long service awards are a great demonstration of that in practice.
Enjoy this new and revitalised In the Field. We’ve kept it short and sharp and have made some changes to the content based on feedback. We’ve also introduced an ‘Ask me Anything’ column to answer commonly-asked (or unique!) questions. I look forward to seeing what you hit me up with in the coming issues – don’t be shy!
For those of you taking a break over Christmas and the new year, enjoy the time with your loved ones. And for those working through to deliver services and events for the community, I thank you for your continued hard work and hope you find some time to relax and unwind, if not now, maybe later.
Wishing you and your families a merry Christmas and a bright year ahead. I look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to take on 2026.
Brad Cutts General Manager
Curious about what’s driving our next big moves? Ask me Anything dishes up candid insights straight from the GM, on everything from strategy, priorities, and the road ahead.
Q1 Q2
Will you be coming out for meet and greets to some of the remote sites?
Yes, definitely. I plan to do a lot more of that next year. Stay tuned!
Can you provide an update on the recent unauthorised access to our IT systems?
We are continuing to investigate the incident, including what data may have been involved. This is a detailed forensic process that takes time to complete to ensure all aspects of the incident are understood and addressed. We will provide updates on our investigation as required. Until then, I would like to thank you for your continued support and patience as we work to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken in response to this incident.
Q3
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
My mum, Pam. Mum had a stroke 2 weeks before my twin boys were born and I’d love her to meet them and catch up with my older kids who she adored.
Celebrating 1,170 years of service
Last month we celebrated 60 long-standing staff members at the annual Service Awards, representing a combined 1,170 years of service! From 10-year milestones to 40 years, each award reflects the passion that drives our success as an organisation. Congratulations to all recipients, your hard work inspires us every day. Here’s to many more years of achievement. Find all the photos on FirstCall.
Movember BBQ a sizzling success!
Our Movember staff BBQ was a sizzling success, raising a whopping $2,675! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last month and generously donated. Your support is making a real difference by driving awareness for men’s mental health, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Together, we’re changing lives – one burger at a time!
SWITCH Conference
The NSW Public Libraries Association annual SWITCH Conference brought together public libraries from across the State for a mix of learning and fun. This year’s theme was superheroes, and the costumes were nothing short of creative! The night’s big winner? Our very own Matthew Griffiths, who wowed the crowd and judges, taking out Best Dressed as Captain Underpants.
Congratulations on your RAP!
TYANA CHANTHAPHAVONG
Children and Family Services
MARIA STAVROS
Children and Family Services
TKHI KHAI LIEN BUI, RANJINI PRASAD, THI MY HANH VO
Children and Family Services
TILOTMA CHAND
Children and Family Services
DINA CHALABI
Leisure Centres
MARIA LUONGO, NARELLE DIN Governance
PETER SANANIKONE
People and Culture / Payroll
PANKIT SHAH
Environment and Health
ANDREW GIANCOTTI, AMY MALONE, NATASHA DEL RIO
Leisure Centres
SOLINA SOK
Social Planning and Community Development
ST JOHNS PARK ELC
Children and Family Services
DESMA RYAN Assets
MARIA LUONGO Governance
WETHERILL PARK ELC
Children and Family Services
DAVID WHITEMAN, TONY TRAN, ROSEANNA PURUTO
Building Trades
Team spotlight: Signshop team
Ever wondered who keeps Fairfield City looking sharp? Meet the Signshop team, the creative and practical legends behind everything and anything signage-related. They do it all: traditional handpainted signs, vinyl lettering, and even digital printing. If it needs a sign or a splash of paint, they’re on it!
• Signshop superstars: Roseanna Puruto, Mathew Thurbon, Tony Tran, and David Whiteman
• Works Coordinator: Craig Herbert
Their superpower?
Collaborating across departments to bring unique
10
things we didn’t know about you
In this issue we spotlight Formula One fanatic James Finn and discover that there’s more to People and Culture than policies!
1. Strangest food combination you secretly love?
Rice and tomato sauce
2. What would your life’s theme song be? Let it be
3. Most unusual job you’ve ever had (or wanted to have)?
Chocolate tester
What’s coming up
E-Recruitment (Pulse) –we’re on a roll!
Pulse e-recruitment has soared past 4,000 applications with glowing feedback! Next up: electronic onboarding for new starters via the Onboarding Module. Stay tuned – more updates dropping in the new year.
ideas to life, backed by a can-do attitude and the skills to tackle complex, never-been-done-before projects, often under tight deadlines.
Big wins this year?
Delivering standout signage results at Endeavour Sports Park and Avenel Park, despite limited time and resources.
They’re proud to be part of the Building Trades family – a crew full of talent, personality, and teamwork. Keep up the amazing work!
4. The most random item in my desk drawer right now is..
Melbourne Cup carnival pins
5. Who would you swap lives with for 24 hours?
Oscar Piastri
6. Guilty pleasure TV show or movie? Any B Grade 80s action movie
7. Weirdest thing you’ve ever collected or wanted to collect?
Tea
8. What’s the most random fact you know? Australia is the only country where opalized animal and plant fossils are found
9. Go-to karaoke song?
Superman
10. The strangest compliment I’ve ever received is..
I look like Robert Pattinson
Access Definitiv goes mobile!
Our new time and attendance system is on the move! Pilot teams are already testing everything from user experience to payroll integration. People and Culture is rolling out Definitiv info sessions across Council. Haven’t booked yours? Reach out, or they’ll find you!
Protect your password Passwords must never be shared. Remember to always use your own credentials and share calendars without passwords. Emergency access needs Director and Manager approval.
Contact ICT Service Desk for help.
Reminders
Council closure: from COB Fri 19 Dec 2025. Reopening Mon 5 Jan 2026
Leave: Depending on operational requirements, all staff must use accrued leave (annual, long service, time-in-lieu)
Public Holidays:
• 25 Dec – Christmas
• 26 Dec – Boxing Day
• 1 Jan – New Year’s Day
No leave? Discuss with your manager; apply for alternate arrangements.
Best podcasts
Christmas payroll deadlines Fortnightly payroll
Pay periods:
1-14 Dec (pay date 18 Dec) and 15-28 Dec (pay date 30 Dec).
Payroll timesheets due 12pm, 11 Dec.
Casual payroll
Pay periods:
15-21 Dec (pay date 23 Dec) and 22-28 Dec (pay date 30 Dec).
Timesheets due 9am, 18 Dec for the first period and 9am, 29 Dec for the next.
Questions? Contact Payroll.
Looking for something new to listen to on your commute or during the break? We’ve rounded up the top podcast picks as recommended by you!
Don’t give or accept gifts for Council business
If offered, declare it and check the guidelines
Unsure? Ask your manager or Governance or search ‘gifts and benefits’ on FirstCall.
Need support? The Acacia EAP is here for you
Access free, confidential support for personal or workrelated issues. Includes shortterm counselling for you and your immediate family. Find out more on FirstCall.
The
elf-tastic victory goes to... Accounts
Payable!
Congratulations to the mischievous masterminds who snagged the Elves Behavin’ Badly crown for their cheeky elf stealing the donations to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal. A huge thanks to everyone who entered, your elf antics made the season sparkle! Check out all the creative submissions on FirstCall.
Name that Christmas movie!
Guess what the emojis are spelling out to win a $30 HOYTS voucher!
Note: The vouchers go to the first 3 correct (or closest to) entries!
Send your submission to InTheField@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au by 12pm, 17 December. Winners
Don't forget