General News
2 April, 2026
Skipton students show True Blue selves
STUDENTS at Skipton Primary School have garnered national attention following their participation in a music video covering John Williamson’s most iconic song.
The students participated in the music video filmed by Josh Arnold when he visited the area recently, singing the 1982 song ‘True Blue’ as part of Rural Aid’s focus on supporting Victorian farmers impacted by the January fires.
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, families and rural communities through assistance during disasters and adversity.
At the time of publication, the video has seen 528,000 views and 725 comments on social media.
Mr Arnold said he was heading into the Skipton area as part of his “singing ambassador” work.
“I was talking to the CEO (chief executive officer, John Warlters) and told him I was heading down to the Pyrenees area – he said Rural Aid was wanting to do some work in the area due to the fires in Skipton,” he said.
“He asked me if I wanted to do a video while I was down there, so I extended the trip and got the Skipton students involved.
“I’d just sung ‘True Blue’ at a function for Rural Aid – I thought it’d fit nicely when I did a couple of songs down there.
“John suggested ‘True Blue’ because it’s such a great song about the Australian spirit and people pulling together, which was a good fit for the video.”
Mr Warlters said ‘True Blue’ had a beautiful feel about it, reflecting the Australian spirit during tough times – making it the perfect song to represent rural resilience.
“Rural Aid, being really familiar with the amazing work Josh does in schools and, in particular, schools in rural areas and understanding what so many Victorian farming have gone through with the fires, we agreed it was an opportunity to work with one of the schools in one of the fire-impacted regions,” he said.
“We thought it’d bring a bit of joy to a really tough and challenging set of circumstances people have faced, and to do that through music and song.
“The reception has been absolutely huge.
“Josh posted the song to Facebook, and it’s since had support from an enormous number of people who have tuned into the song and seen what it represents.
“Hopefully they’ve taken on a deeper appreciation of what so many Victorian farmers, families and communities have gone through.”
Mr Arnold said he was warmly welcomed when he approached the school to be a part of the video.
“The principal was really receptive and was just really keen to give the kids the rare opportunity to be in a music video,” he said.
“They were fantastic – they had such good spirits, were enthusiastic and super keen. I know they had been through lots – there were so many of them who had their homes affected by the fires.
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“Just to see them in such good spirits was great.”
Mr Arnold said he was blown away by the response to his video, which far exceeded his expectations.
“I think people resonated with the song and the kids, and it was mostly positive,” he said.
“A lot of people said they were moved to tears, and felt it was a real reflection on old Australia and the way they would like it to be – everyone just pulling and working together towards the future.
“I’m really proud of it and it’s a beautiful part of the world.
“The old shearing shed we used at the start of the video is supposed to be one of the oldest in Australia – you’ll drive half an hour down the road and someone else would say they’ve got the oldest shed.
“If there is one that looks like the oldest shearing shed in Australia, this was a beauty – it looked like something from the 1800s.”
Mr Warlters said he hoped the video would encourage people to support the communities in their recovery from the fires, ensuring they know they are not forgotten.
“What those Victorian families have gone through and the fact the recovery is going to take years and years to get back to where they were – we just don’t want people to be forgotten about on that journey,” he said.
“Often, a lot of the attention is in the immediate aftermath or during the big events like the fires in Victoria.
“The focus can then quickly swing to another issue or challenge, but the people who have been impacted are still left there with so much in front of them.
“We just want to make sure they’re not forgotten and that we keep them in our thoughts.
“We can do that through an iconic song sung by some young people in an impacted community.”
Mr Warlters reminded impacted residents Rural Aid was still ready to help in their recovery journey.
“That offer stands today, and it’ll stand for however long they might need help,” he said.
“They can give us a call on 1300 327 624, and we’re there to help.”