Student organisation, Arc@UNSW has made a clean sweep at a campus union awards ceremony in Melbourne, with four of its initiatives winning first place above any other Australian university.

The Australasian Campus Union Managers' Association (ACUMA) host the awards ceremony annually.

The Best Student Development Program was awarded to Arc's Yellow Shirts program which provides volunteer guides to help new students adjust to university life.

The Best Refurbishment was awarded to Arc's new Post Grad Lounge. The stylish meeting space hosts computers, a fully equipped kitchen, dining table, meeting rooms and a plasma flatscreen.

The Best Community Outreach Program was awarded to the Walama Muru program a joint initiative between Arc and Nura Gili Indigenous programs. Volunteers are selected each year to spend a week carrying out community projects in the Aboriginal community of Nanima, a former Mission located in central west NSW.

The final prize was awarded to Arc's Membership Manager, Tilda Sikes who received the 2008 Joe Curtis Memorial International Travel Grant. Sikes will travel to Asia in 2009 to extend her professional development by visiting Asian student organisations.

"We are extremely proud to have our student and community programs and student facilities recognised as the best in our industry. Arc is strongly committed to supporting UNSW students during the most exciting time in their lives," says Gillian Clive, Arc's Marketing & Communications Manager.

Runners Up in the 2008 ACUMA Awards were Arc's Tharunka magazine for Best Student Newspaper and O Week Blitz for Best Orientation Handbook.

Media Contact: Fran Strachan | 9385 8732 | fran.strachan.unsw.edu.au