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Westpac in the community

We’re with youWestpac OlympicYouth ProgramOur Westpac OlympicYouth Program has helpedAustralia’s 3.1millionschool children learnabout and experienceOlympic ideals such asachievement, teamwork,goal setting andfriendship, values whichwill help them achievelater in life. Fromhundreds of schools thatparticipated,24 schoolswon Olympic prizes andfive schools won a trip toattend the Sydney 2000Olympic Games.

Operation BackyardOur support for localenvironmental initiativesis driven by staffinvolvement. Through ourenvironmental fundingprogram, OperationBackyard, Westpac staffcan apply for funding forenvironmental projectsin which they are involvedas volunteers. Since itsinception in October1998, over $580,000has been committedto 126 projects in localcommunities acrossAustralia with over80% going to rural andregional areas.

Olympic LandcareWestpac is proud to havebeen a major financialsupporter of thisinitiative to plant twomillion trees over threeyears across Australiato leave a lasting legacyof the “Green Games”.Additionally, our staffidentified 26 sitesaround the nationwhere they wanted tofocus their efforts, andthey and their familiesjoined in the treeplanting events atthe designated sites.

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Matching GiftsOur most comprehensivestaff community supportprogram is WestpacMatching Gifts, wherethe generosity of our staffis supported by matching,dollar for dollar, theircontributions to any taxdeductible charity of theirchoice. Since December1998 these contributionshave been matched,bringing the totaldistribution to over$1.6 million to some 300charities across Australia.

Staff VolunteeringThrough our staffvolunteering program,over one-third of ourstaff are activelyinvolved in theirlocal communitiesas volunteers. Westpacsupports this voluntarywork through paid timeoff for volunteeringand flexible workingarrangements toenable staff to meettheir communityservice commitments.

Children 2000As an important partof Westpac’s partnershipwith the Sydney 2000Olympic Games, theChildren 2000 programoffered 80 charitableorganisations theopportunity for over2,000 disadvantagedchildren to attend theOlympic Games andexperience theexcitement of thisonce in a lifetime event.

At Westpac our corporate community involvement is driven by a belief that we have aresponsibility to support the local communities where we live and work. This helps us tobetter understand the communities we serve and to better meet their needs. When Westpacstaff donate time or money to worthwhile causes, we’re with them through flexible workingarrangements and dollar for dollar donation matching. Our staff have a long and proudhistory of local community involvement and support. We’re with them all the way.

World VisionOne of the most popularcharities supported bystaff through the MatchingGifts program is WorldVision Australia. Over$66,000 has gone totheir Child Sponsorshipprogram and to a microfinancing project inZimbabwe which providesloans for 5,250 localsto establish their ownbusinesses.

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Westpac RescueHelicopters2000 marks the 27thanniversary of Westpac’slongest standing communityservice commitment – a commitment that helpsmake the difference betweenlife and death for hundredsof people each year – to theWestpac Rescue HelicopterServices in NSW and Qld.Services operate from fivebases in NSW, two in Qld,and four in New Zealand,24 hours a day, every day ofthe year, to help save lives.

Learning for Life –Access for Rural YouthGiving young Australiansan opportunity to completeschool and go on to tertiarystudy is at the heart of TheSmith Family’s Learning forLife program. The WestpacFoundation has given$1million to expand theprogram into nine newrural areas supporting anextra 2,350 students andto provide 44 new tertiaryscholarships for studentsfrom rural areas.

Australian MathematicsCompetition for theWestpac AwardsThis annual competitionis designed to give allstudents an opportunityto achieve in mathematicsand to provide an extrachallenge for those whoare interested. It is thelargest of its kind in theworld, attracting 450,000secondary school studentsfrom Australia, NewZealand and the Pacific in2000. Westpac has proudlysponsored this competitionsince its inception in 1978.

Bandaged Bear DayStaff hold a special placein their hearts for the sickkids at the New Children’sHospital Westmead. Supporthas been provided not onlythrough personal donationsbut through fundraisingevents and promotionsfor Bandaged Bear Day.

Red Shield AppealWestpac has been aproud supporter of theSalvos for over 40 years.Staff around the countryvolunteer their time tocollect, count and bankmoney raised for TheSalvation Army’s RedShield Appeal in Mayeach year.

Managing Director’sStaff CommunityService AwardsEach year the ManagingDirector recognises staffvolunteering excellencethrough this awardsprogram. Since theinception of the Awardsover $400,000 has beendistributed to communityorganisations with whomour winners havevolunteered.

Life Education TrustWestpacTrust is thenational partner ofthis program that sees34 regional Trustsaround New Zealandvisiting schools toprovide positive healthmessages focusing onthe dangers of substanceabuse. Annual visits toover 1,400 primary andintermediate schoolsreach some 250,000children throughoutthe country.

Paralympic SupportWestpac is proud tosupport members of theSydney 2000 ParalympicTeam through itsParalympic EmploymentProgram enabling theseelite athletes to balancetheir career developmentwith the considerabledemands of training andcompetition. Westpac wasa major supporter of theAustralian ParalympicCommittee’s Gold MedalAppeal accepting donationsand selling pins throughour branch network.

Surf LifesavingWestpac has been apartner with Surf LifeSaving in Queenslandsince 1976. Eachyear during Surf LifeSaving Week ourstaff encourage theircustomers and localcommunity membersto help raise fundswhich support the6,000 active surf lifesaver volunteers whopatrol our beaches.

Walk for the CureWestpac is a majornational sponsor ofthe Juvenile DiabetesFoundation’s ‘Walk forthe Cure’. In October1999 over 3,200 staffand their familiesparticipated in the Walk,raising close to $150,000towards research intofinding a cure forJuvenile Diabetes.

Amy Winters Paralympic athlete