The children assumed they were receiving an early Christmas present when their school bus driver handed them golden envelopes.

With a cheery message on the front – 'to the wonderful people who care for me. Merry Christmas' – Kyabram P-12 College students followed the instructions and gave the festive envelopes to their parents on Wednesday night.

The envelopes containing the Marriage Alliance leaflets

But many parents were shocked to discover that they contained anti-gay marriage leaflets from the Marriage Alliance.

The leaflets also criticised the Safe Schools Coalition.