Churchill Fellow Megan Gilmour (ACT, 2016) has been announced as ACT Australian of the Year in a ceremony in Canberra.
The award recognises people who go above and beyond for their communities.
Megan’s work aims to support children including those at risk of missing school due to complex medical or mental health challenges.
Her Churchill Fellowship enabled Megan to showcase approaches used in Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom and two provinces of Canada to support education, social and emotional connection for sick kids. Click here to download her Fellowship report.
Megan drew on her lived experience to co-found MissingSchool, which launched the world’s first national telepresence service, allowing children in hospital or at home to join lessons in real time.
MissingSchool has restored school connections for 6900 students since 2018.
Another Churchill Fellow, Madeleine Buchner OAM (2024, VIC) was nominated for the Victorian Australian of the Year award, for her work advocating for young carers.
The Trust wholeheartedly congratulates Megan and her team at MissingSchool, and Madeleine and her team at Little Dreamers, for their ongoing work.
Megan is now a finalist in the national awards, which will be announced on 25 January 2025.
