Westpac PNG has officially launched its Sister City Program, partnering 14 branches across Papua New Guinea with 14 branches from Westpac Group operations on the Gold Coast and Bayside to strengthen professional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community support.
The Sister City Program is a formal partnership between branches designed to promote cultural and commercial ties while fostering stronger relationships between teams in both countries. Through mentoring, shared learning, and community initiatives, the program will enable employees to exchange knowledge and support charitable causes that positively impact local communities.
Activities under the program include mentoring between branch teams, partnerships on community projects and charities, and sharing best practices in key areas such as risk management, customer service, and sales performance.
Head of Retail Banking at Westpac PNG, Miriam Rothera, said the program reflects the bank’s commitment to building stronger connections between teams while creating meaningful outcomes for communities.
“The Sister City Program is about more than connecting branches — it’s about connecting people, ideas, and communities across borders,” Rothera said.
“By partnering our teams in Papua New Guinea with colleagues on the Gold Coast and Bayside, we’re creating opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen professional capability, and learn from each other’s experiences. At the same time, we’re empowering our branches to work together on community initiatives that make a real difference locally.
“What makes this program particularly special is that it brings together mentoring, collaboration, and community support in one initiative. It allows our people to grow professionally while also giving back to the communities we serve," she added.
As part of the program’s first activities, donated goods from Gold Coast and Bayside branches recently arrived in Port Moresby and have begun reaching branches across the country. These supplies are being distributed so each location can support a local charity or community initiative.
Branches in Kavieng, Kimbe, Port Moresby, Gordons, Boroko, and Madang have already received their deliveries.
In Madang, Rothera personally delivered bags filled with school supplies, books, and library materials to Kil Primary School. Together with branch colleagues, the team met Headmaster Mr Martin Kadamai during a school assembly attended by more than 880 students, parents, and members of the local community.
Witnessing how the donated resources will support students and their education was a powerful moment for the team.
Another impactful experience came from the Kavieng branch team, who visited female and juvenile inmates at the local correctional facility to share cake and distribute individual gift packs. Retail Assurance & Compliance Manager Mary Gima, who participated in the visit, described the experience as deeply moving.
“It was incredibly humbling to be part of something that brought smiles to people who often feel forgotten,” she said. “We’re very grateful to our Sister City colleagues in Queensland for helping make this possible.”
Rothera said the early success of the program demonstrates the power of cooperation and shared purpose.
“This is just the beginning. Through our Sister City partnerships, we are already seeing how small actions can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. We look forward to many more stories of impact as the program grows.”
The Sister City Program has created partnerships between teams in the following branches:
PNG Branch — Australian Branch
Kokopo — Burleigh
Alotau — St G Helensvale
Kavieng — Elanora
Airways — Pacific Fair
Madang — Cleveland
Kimbe — Capalaba
Wewak — Coomera
Vanimo — Robina
Port Moresby — Southport
Mount Hagen — Bundall
Goroka — Runaway Bay
Tabubil — Robina
Gordons — Pacific Fair
Boroko — Helensvale
