The 2025 ACT Australian of the Year is Megan Gilmour, co-founder of MissingSchool and advocate for children with chronic health conditions.

When her son survived critical illness, social innovator Ms 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, she created MissingSchool to develop school solutions that help these children continue learning alongside their peers.

This included the world’s first national telepresence service, allowing children in hospital or home to join lessons in real time. Megan’s relentless advocacy is revolutionising education systems for children with chronic health conditions and school absences, as well as their families.

ACT Seniors of the Year

The 2025 ACT Senior Australians of the Year are Marilyn Ralston and Peter Ralston OAM, running supporters of the vision impaired and tireless volunteers.

Peter Ralston OAM and his wife Marilyn Ralston have made it possible for people with vision impairment or other disabilities in the ACT to walk or run at mainstream events and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Peter and Marilyn began the Achilles Running Club Canberra in 2013, where volunteer guides team up with people with disabilities at fun runs, club training and the weekly parkrun.

ACT Young Australian of the Year

The 2025 ACT Young Australian of the Year is Daniel Bartholomaeus, an artist and neurodiversity advocate.

Daniel Bartholomaeus is a 21-year-old artist with an innate ability to inspire and motivate others, especially within the neurodiverse community. Daniel, who has autism and ADHD, is a mentor with The With Friends Initiative, a social group for neurodivergent young people.

Daniel uses his art for self-expression, but also to forge common pathways for people with mental ill-health and those of different abilities, bridging the gap between neurotypical and neurodiverse people.

ACT Local Heroes

The 2025 ACT Local Heroes are Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello, co-founders of Cafe Stepping Stone, which empowers women from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Their sustainable vegetarian cafe offers culturally and linguistically diverse women employment pathways, on-the-job training and qualifications through partnerships with registered training organisations.

Hannah and Vanessa’s inclusive employment practices involve targeting women who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, those with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness.