Getting the foundations right: from regional classrooms to national impact

Marina Karpathios (née Gainulina)
and
Sarah Williamson
11:30am March 18 2026

From little scholars to future leaders: last month, Westpac announced a new philanthropic focus on education, investing in Australian primary schools to build literacy, numeracy and pathways for social mobility.

Westpac chief executive Anthony Miller visited Dubbo this week as part of the bank’s rollout of a renewed national focus on education through its philanthropic foundations.

 

Four public schools in Dubbo are among the first to receive support under the new approach, which centres on improving literacy and numeracy outcomes.

 

Through the program, Westpac is partnering with leading education charities to help deliver systemic change in schools. 

 

In an interview with ABC Western Plains, Miller said the bank had to get more focused on where it could really make a difference.

 

“That led us to education, and to backing programs like Schools Plus that are already doing good work in schools. Our role is to support that effort, particularly around literacy and numeracy.”

 

The visit marked a return to the region for Miller, who spent part of his childhood in Dubbo and attended school locally. He said the trip was about listening to school leaders and hearing first-hand what support is needed.

 

What is Westpac changing in its philanthropic approach?

Westpac said the program reflects a deliberate shift away from supporting a wide range of causes, towards a more targeted focus on education as a long‑term priority.

 

The bank has identified literacy and numeracy as foundational skills that shape learning and opportunity later in life and said its philanthropic support would concentrate on strengthening the key to social mobility – quality education.

 

A growing body of evidence suggests that when it comes to literacy, early advantage - or disadvantage - tends to compound.

 

A 2023 Australian study1 found nearly 70 per cent of children maintained the same relative literacy level from school entry through to age 10, meaning early strong readers generally stayed ahead while weaker readers rarely caught up. 

 

Nearby, a 12-year-long New Zealand study2 showed poor literacy or numeracy in childhood is linked to lasting social and economic disadvantage in adulthood, including lower education and employment outcomes, reduced earnings and poorer health.

 

“We had to be honest about where we can really make a difference,” Miller said. “We’re not education experts. Our role is to back the people who are.”

 

While Westpac won’t have direct involvement in schools, it will provide support for established operators Schools Plus and ABCN.

 

How is the program being applied in schools?

In Dubbo, the program is focused on supporting school leadership, including coaching and leadership development for principals.

 

Westpac said the approach recognises that sustained improvement in schools is driven by leadership, consistency and long‑term commitment, rather than short‑term initiatives.

 

The bank’s support is designed to complement the work already being done by educators, rather than introduce new programs into classrooms.

 

“Education opens doors,” Miller said. “If you get the basics right early on, the impact lasts a lifetime.”

 

Why start in Dubbo?

Dubbo is one of the first locations selected under the new national focus, with four public schools participating in the initial phase.

 

As part of the initiative, Miller is mentoring a local school principal, drawing on his experience leading a large organisation.

 

“School principals are balancing staff, students, families and communities every day,” he said. “It’s a tough job, and there’s a lot we can learn from each other.”

 

This week, Westpac CEO Anthony Miller returned to Dubbo, where his education began. Pictured: Anthony Miller (left); Annie Munro, Orana Heights Principal (centre), Sherril Nixon, CEO, Schools Plus (right) and students Maisy and Henry.

What happens next?

Westpac said the program would be expanded cautiously, with future growth dependent on feedback from schools and evidence that the approach is improving outcomes.

 

“There’s no point making announcements just to feel good,” Miller said. “What matters is whether this is actually helping.”

 

While the ambition is national, Westpac said early locations such as Dubbo would help inform how the program evolves before it is rolled out more broadly.

 

What is Westpac doing in regional Australia?

Westpac said it has a long‑term commitment to regional Australia, supported by a series of measures aimed at maintaining access to banking services and strengthening local communities.

 

The bank has extended a moratorium on regional branch closures through to 2030, while opening new regional service centres in Moree, Leongatha and Smithton.

 

Westpac bankers will also visit regional towns to provide in‑person support through partnerships with local councils. Initial pilot locations include Dungog, Bulahdelah and Manilla in regional New South Wales.

 

1 Jackson, C., Wan, W.-Y., Lee, E., Marslen, T., Lu, L., Williams, L., Collier, A., Johnston, K., & Thomas, M. (2023). Which skills are important for future literacy and numeracy learning? How the Australian Early Development Census data reveal the building blocks for future reading, writing and numeracy performance. Australian Education Research Organisation. https://www.edresearch.edu.au/resources/literacy-numeracy-skills future-learning 

2 “Literacy and numeracy skills and life-course outcomes: Evidence from PIAAC and linked administrative data” (2024) The Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 27(1), pp. 27–72. https://www.ajle.org/index.php/ajle_home/article/view/215

Marina Karpathios (née Gainulina)

Marina Karpathios (née Gainulina) leads Westpac Wire, the editorial division of the bank. She holds over a decade of experience in marketing communications, a Bachelor of Communications & Media (Journalism) degree and a drive to connect with discerning audiences via authentic storytelling across mediums. She has managed brand comms for the likes of Tiffany & Co., Hugo Boss, NIVEA and GRAZIA.

Sarah Williamson

Sarah Williamson is a video producer for Westpac Wire. Sarah joined the team in 2024 bringing with her nearly a decade of experience across all aspects of video production. She's worked with high profile companies including Canva and Lego.

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