Gilgandra Public School admin Lucy McKenzie charged with child abuse material offences in NSW

A woman employed in an administrative role at a primary school in central western NSW has been charged over alleged child abuse material offences, only days after police began investigating an online account in the region.

Lucy McKenzie, 35, who worked at Gilgandra Public School, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning following a police operation at her home in Gilgandra.

She has since been charged with four counts of using a carriage service to distribute child abuse material, as well as an additional charge of hindering or resisting police.

Police said the investigation began earlier this month.

“On July 11, 2026, strike force detectives received information relating to child abuse material allegedly connected to an account holder in the Central West of NSW,” a police statement read.

“About 7.15am on Tuesday, detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Gilgandra, where a 35-year-old woman was arrested.”

Ms McKenzie was refused bail and will front court again on September 7.

The matter forms part of Strike Force Trawler, an ongoing investigation targeting the online sexual exploitation of children through internet platforms and telecommunications services.

Police have confirmed inquiries under the strike force remain ongoing.

In a separate statement, the NSW Department of Education confirmed the woman’s employment had been terminated immediately.

“The department took immediate action upon learning of the charges and the individual’s employment has been terminated by the NSW Department of Education,” a spokesperson told The Nightly.

“The department does not tolerate employees engaging in criminal conduct especially towards children and will not hesitate to act to ensure the care and protection of students.

“No further comment will be made as this is before the courts.”