2026 Victoria Local Hero, Linda Widdup, visited Lilydale Primary School on Friday 11 September to encourage our Australian values of fair go and mateship with students, and announce the school’s Aussie of the Month.
As Founder of Aussie Hay Runners, the charity that provides emergency relief to farmers and their families during natural disasters and crisis, Linda demonstrates and inspires the highest level of contribution and support to community.
Linda shared her story with the 200 students during the school assembly, before announcing Chloe as Lilydale Primary School’s Aussie of the Month.
“Linda’s message will have a lasting impact at our school,” said a Lilydale Primary School representative. “The students absolutely loved having a special guest speaker come visit and present the Aussie of the Month award.”
As a result of the visit, Linda has arranged to donate a defibrillator from Aussie Hay Runners to Lilydale Primary School.
The Local Hero school visit is exclusive to schools registered with Aussie of the Month, the younger sibling to the Australian of the Year Awards.
