A recent study has highlighted the success of the Papua New Guinea Midwifery Leadership Buddy Program, a cross-cultural initiative proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Morialta. This innovative program pairs Australian and PNG midwives to strengthen leadership skills and confidence through workshops, peer support, and quality improvement projects.
The study found that PNG midwives showed significant growth in self-leadership, with skills sustained six months later. Participants valued networking, cultural exchange, and learning that leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about action.
Some midwives even overcame civil unrest and communication barriers to keep improving maternal and infant care in remote communities. The Buddy Program is now recognised as a model for boosting midwifery capacity worldwide, one respectful partnership at a time.
This is Rotary at its best: connecting people, growing leaders, and saving lives — one mother and baby at a time.
A recent study has celebrated the remarkable impact of the Papua New Guinea Midwifery Leadership Buddy Program — a cross-cultural, peer-supported initiative proudly backed by the Rotary Club of Morialta, the PNG Midwifery Society, and the Australian College of Midwives.
This innovative program connects midwives from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia to build leadership skills, strengthen confidence, and craft practical solutions that improve maternal and infant health in some of the world’s most remote communities. Midwives are paired as ‘buddies’, attending immersive workshops together, sharing their professional stories, and designing grassroots quality improvement projects tailored to real local needs.
The study showed that PNG midwives made significant gains in self-leadership and confidence as leaders — progress that was still strong six months later. Many participants reflected that true leadership isn’t about having a title; it’s about the courage to step forward, advocate for change, and inspire others to do the same.
Even when faced with enormous challenges like civil unrest, poor internet connections, or vast distances, these determined midwives kept going — moving clinics when needed, training village birth attendants, promoting breastfeeding, and securing safe places for mothers who travel for days to reach care. Each project is a testament to what’s possible when people are empowered to lead with local knowledge and resilience.
The Buddy Program is now recognised as a model for building midwifery leadership across cultures — one that could be adapted globally to tackle persistently high rates of maternal and newborn deaths. By fostering trust, respect, and mutual support, Rotary helps communities find local solutions that save lives and strengthen futures.
This is what our club does best: connecting people, investing in leaders, and leaving a legacy that will keep saving mothers and babies for generations to come.