Westpac PNG brought together employees and their families from across the country in Port Moresby on 27 June 2026 for its Sporting Day and Gala Night, celebrating teamwork, wellbeing, connection and the strength of its people.
The day was organised by a committee of Westpac PNG employees, reflecting the Bank's focus on bringing its people together and supporting a strong, connected team across its Head Office and branches.
Under the overall theme "Champions by Day, Icons by Night", the event combined an energetic day of sport and family activities with an evening celebration of achievement, culture and connection.
The Fun Day theme was **"Carnivals of Champions"**, inspired by the Harry Potter franchise with a PNG twist. Teams were named after the earth elements in Motu: Tano for Land, Ranu for Water, Lahi for Fire and Lai for Wind/Air.
The day opened with a team parade and warm-up session before employees took part in competitive sports, including rugby touch, futsal, volleyball and netball. Novelty games such as sack races, tug of war, egg-and-spoon races and a water-gun fight added to the fun and encouraged participation across all teams.
A dedicated children's area, supported by three large bouncy castles and family-friendly activities, helped make the day memorable for children and parents. External stakeholders, including Nasfund, NCSL and Business for Health, also joined the activities.
At the Fun Day, Westpac PNG Chief Executive Andrew Cairns spoke informally to staff and their families, linking the activities to the Bank's people theme of Yumi Grow Wantaim.
"The day was really about Yumi Grow Wantaim. We came together to enjoy ourselves, have some fun, compete in the right spirit and spend time with our families and colleagues. More importantly, days like this remind us that we are one Westpac PNG team. When we played together, laughed together and supported each other, we built the connection that helps us grow together at work as well. That was what made the day special."
The Sporting Day closed with a group cool-down session, wrapping up an energetic and inclusive programme that brought employees, families and teams together from across the Bank's national network.
In the evening, employees came together for the Gala Night under the theme "Glamour and Mystery", with a masquerade-inspired setting that recognised team achievements and individual contributions.
The evening featured arrival drinks, opening remarks, team and individual awards, cultural performances, music and group dances delivered by teams from Port Moresby and the branches.
Speaking at the Gala Night, Cairns said the evening was an opportunity to recognise Westpac PNG's people and the important role they play in shaping the Bank's future.
"Westpac PNG's strength has always been built on its people. Our ability to grow, adapt and lead depends on how well we work together, how strongly we live our values and how consistently we support the customers, communities and businesses we serve across Papua New Guinea. The night was not only a celebration of achievement but also a reminder of the responsibility we share to continue building a stronger, more connected and more resilient organisation."
Cairns also thanked the organising committee for its hard work in planning, preparing and delivering both events, noting that its efforts helped create a memorable weekend for employees and their families.
The Sporting Day and Gala Night reinforce Westpac PNG's focus on strengthening its culture, supporting its people and creating opportunities for employees and families to connect beyond the workplace.
