Grim photo sparks worry from Aussies over what’s become of the iconic Life Education van: ‘Even Healthy Harold is struggling with the cost of living’
Australians are heartbroken over new changes made to a much-loved school education program.
Those who grew up in Australia between the 1980s and the mid-2000s will remember the excitement of Healthy Harold giraffe doll arriving at their school in the iconic Life Education vans.
For more than four decades, the friendly giraffe traveled the country talking to children in the back of his decked-out caravan about drugs, alcohol and healthy eating.
But a photo shared on Reddit of a new Life Education car, in place of the famous camper, sparked immediate concern among nostalgic Australians.
‘Australia’s cost of living crisis has hit poor Healthy Harold. He had to downsize his equipment,” the poster wrote.
Anyone who grew up in Australia will remember the excitement of Healthy Harold giraffe doll arriving at their school in the Life Education van (pictured)
A photo of a Life Education ute was taken by a passing car (pictured). These vehicles will be used in addition to the iconic vans for new pop-up sessions at schools
Many jumped to conclusions and believed that this meant the end of the famous caravan sessions.
“It will be much harder to cram 20 kids in the back instead of on the bus. I have no doubt the psychotic giraffe will try though,” one joked.
“Mate, it’s just a puppet show in the corner of the classroom these days. You are no longer allowed to ride in the dark truck parked on the oval,” said another.
“Give it a few years and it’ll be a webinar,” a third added.
Healthy Harold (photo) teaches children about things like drugs, alcohol and healthy eating
Nostalgic Aussies shared their fond memories when Harold came to visit their school
However, many reported still seeing the vans in schools, just not as often as before.
‘They definitely still have the van, or at least early this year. I saw him driving along the side of the road, I can’t remember where.’
“My son had the big caravan at school all week when Harold came over,” said another.
‘I saw the van myself yesterday! It is currently at a school on Old Cleveland Road in Brisbane, it could have been Carindale/Chandler, not sure which. But it brought back some vintage memories,” one person claimed.
Life Ed Australia CEO Russell D’Costa said the vans are still in use, alongside new pop-up learning, live virtual sessions and pre-recorded sessions.
“Just as the curriculum has changed over the years, Healthy Harold and the Life Ed team’s approach has also changed to meet the needs of students, teachers and communities across the country. This also applies to the way we implement our programme,” Mr D’Costa said.
“Our iconic mobile learning centers (vans) are still operating in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, the ACT and the Northern Territory.
‘We also provide education throughout the country in pop-up (inflatable) classrooms, existing classrooms and through our (live) virtual and (pre-recorded) online lessons.
“Our collaborative approach adapts to the needs of different schools, allowing us to accommodate class sizes ranging from a few students in remote communities to several hundred.”
Many took to the thread to share their favorite Harold memories.
“It’s not a strange lesson in danger unless you’re lured into a van by a smoking giraffe offering free stickers,” one person wrote.
‘Healthy Harold visited my children’s school on Sydney’s northern beaches and hopped behind his big van for a cigarette a few times as the kids went back to class.’
“To this day I still feel ripped off when we were in the truck to space, but I was standing next to the door and there was an opening through which I could see the schoolyard and we didn’t actually go anywhere,” he added. someone else to it.
