Westpac PNG is proud to officially announce the 2026 launch of the country’s most prestigious recognition programme, the Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards.
Established in 2002 to honour exceptional women making significant contributions across business, government, community, education and social development, the Westpac Outstanding Women Awards reflect Westpac’s long-standing commitment to Papua New Guinea beyond banking.
The 2026 Awards will once again celebrate extraordinary women across seven categories: Private Sector, Public Sector, Young Achiever, Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Not-for-Profit, and Sports & Arts Advocate. An Overall Woman of the Year will be selected from the category winners. Westpac invites individuals and organisations to nominate women who are making a difference in their fields.
Nominations are free and simple and must be submitted before 31 May 2026 via the nomination link: https://westpacpacific.smartygrants.com.au/2026WestpacOutstandingWomenAwards or by visiting any Westpac branch and completing an application form.
Each category winner will receive a K5,000 grant to support her professional or community development, a trophy, and fully funded travel and accommodation for herself and a guest to attend the awards ceremony. The Overall Winner will also receive an additional K5,000 grant and an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia to attend a major conference relevant to her field.
Westpac PNG Chairwoman Tamzin Wardley said: “Women are at the heart of our communities, businesses and economy, and their contributions deserve to be seen, celebrated and supported. These awards go beyond recognition; they amplify voices, create opportunities and help unlock pathways for women to lead, influence and drive positive change.”
Emma Low, Westpac Pacific Managing Director, added: “The Westpac Outstanding Women Awards shine a powerful light on the extraordinary achievements of women across Papua New Guinea. By sharing their stories, we aim to inspire the nation to embrace progress, resilience and inclusive leadership, while encouraging the next generation of women to step forward with confidence and ambition.”
From a business perspective, the Westpac Outstanding Women Awards underscore Westpac’s values-driven approach to leadership and sustainable growth. The Awards represent a strategic commitment to inclusion, empowerment and long-term impact, while providing a powerful platform to recognise women who are breaking barriers, driving innovation and leading meaningful change across their industries and communities.
Westpac PNG Chief Executive Andrew Cairns said: “For more than a century, Westpac has been part of Papua New Guinea’s story, standing alongside communities through periods of growth, change and transformation. Throughout that time, women have been central to progress in every sector of our economy and society. When we invest in women’s leadership, innovation and potential, we are not only supporting individuals; we are backing the future of our nation.”
How to nominate:
Nominations are open for the 2026 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards until 31 May 2026. Details on the nomination process, eligibility and award categories are available on the official webpage:
https://www.westpac.com.pg/westpac-outstanding-women-awards/
or by visiting any Westpac branch and completing an application form.
The WOW Awards ceremony will be held in July 2026, where winners will be recognised at a prestigious event attended by industry leaders, government representatives and community advocates.
Follow the conversation on social media at
https://www.facebook.com/westpacPNG
and
https://www.linkedin.com/company/westpacpng/
or by using #WOWA2026 to stay updated on upcoming announcements.
