More ‘welcome’ events and activities are being rolled out to help new residents build those crucial early connections that make their move a success.
In Tamworth over the weekend, nearly 50 new residents gathered at the Jockey Club for a relaxed and family-friendly evening of food, music, and conversation. The night featured lawn games, a jumping castle for the kids, a community BBQ, and an interactive drumming circle led by the Tamworth Conservatorium of Music.
“The vibe was really fun,” said Tamworth ‘Welcome Experience’ connector, Emma Grant. “There was genuine connection. People sat down with others they hadn’t met before and got involved in the drumming – it was a really inclusive, welcoming space.”
In Armidale, the local event took the form of a Thursday night pizza party at The Welder’s Dog brewery. With over 50 attendees, the evening was deliberately low-key and family-friendly, offering a warm, casual space for people to connect over food, games, and a drink.
“Some people walk in not knowing a single person,” Armidale connector Katrina George said. “So we intentionally create the kind of space where people can meet someone, get a question answered, and start to feel a little more at ease in town.”
“A lot of people were surprised to see how multicultural our community is,” she said.
“One new doctor told me the event helped reassure him that regional NSW could be a safe and welcoming place for his family.”
Welcome packs were handed out at both events, offering details about community groups, local services, and points of contact for support. Attendees ranged from young singles to families new to the region – with many asking questions about schools, sport, business networks and how to meet people.
While the focus is on new arrivals, both Emma and Katrina say future events aim to involve more long-time locals too.
“Locals know the town best – they have the history and knowledge of all the beautiful things about the region, and they can share that authentically,” said Emma. “We’re getting a lot of diverse and skilled workers moving to our regional communities, filling in the workforce shortages, and helping our community thrive. It would be great if more locals came along to support them.”
Across regional NSW, the Welcome Experience program is helping essential workers do more than just relocate – it’s helping them settle, connect, and build meaningful lives in their new communities.
Currently run in 52 local government areas across NSW, the Welcome Experience provides free, personalised support for essential workers in health, education, aged care, communities services and more, to help them relocate and integrate into their new jobs and homes.
The program fills a critical gap that relocation incentives often miss, by providing practical help during and after the move, when many newcomers can feel most lost.
Local connector for Armidale, Uralla and Guyra, Katrina George, has seen the success first-hand.
“People might move for a job, but if they don’t make meaningful connections early on, they often don’t stay,” said Katrina. “This is about making sure people find community, not just employment.”
Since the program began in October 2024, Katrina and her Tamworth-based counterpart Emma Grant have supported 94 people through their transition, and are currently working with a combined 123 individuals and families across the Armidale and Tamworth region. Even more new residents have been welcomed in Moree, Inverell and Glen Innes.
The support provided is vast but meaningful, and ranges from finding housing, schools, childcare, doctors, job opportunities for partners, discovering social groups, or even the right gym.
“I don’t help them get the job – I help them stay,” Katrina said. “There’s so much happening in this region, but if you don’t know where to look, it’s hard to find your footing.”
Beyond the events, the real strength of the Welcome Experience lies in the one-on-one support that each new resident receives.
“I’ve had people arrive who’ve never used a wood fire before. Something as simple as lighting the heater can become a real barrier when you’re in a new environment,” she said.
“Other times, it’s helping someone find the right gym or bushwalking group, or tracking down a niche interest like cold-water swimming or Warhammer gaming. I’ve inspected rentals for families, helped their partners find work,” said Katrina.
“It’s always about removing barriers and building confidence. It’s those small touchpoints that matter – they make people feel seen and supported.”
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.