Megan Gilmour

Co-founder, MissingSchool

2025 ACT Australian of the Year Nominee

When her son survived critical illness, social innovator Megan Gilmour set out to support the 1.2 million Australian children at risk of missing school due to complex medical and mental health challenges. 

Drawing on her lived experience and professional background in global development, Megan was driven to create MissingSchool – pioneering technology, education policy and partnerships to develop school solutions that help these children continue learning alongside their peers. 

In 2015, Megan co-authored the national-first School connection for seriously sick kids report, and published a policy paper in 2021, pursuing visibility, equity and access to education for this vulnerable cohort. She led MissingSchool to launch the world’s first national telepresence service, allowing children in hospital or home to join lessons in real time, reconnecting some 6,900 students since 2018.  

Megan’s relentless advocacy is changing education systems for children with chronic health conditions and school absence and their families, restoring vital connections for belonging.