Healthy Harold brings colour to the outback

In November, we took our pop-up classroom to children from Tibooburra Outback Public School, a small isolated rural school with 10 students from kindergarten to year six.

Situated 1,187 km northwest of Sydney, Tibooburra – an Aboriginal word for ‘heaps of rocks’ – has a population of just 134.

Together with students from the School of the Air, educator Stephanie Vance taught our Harold’s Friendship, All Systems Go, and Relate Respect Connect modules to 15 excited children.

Despite the heat, the students enjoyed learning about how their bodies work, healthy lifestyles and respectful relationships inside the brand new pop-up classroom.

It was the first time students from the school had a visit from Life Ed, thanks to a generous sponsorship from our Program Operations Manager, Chris Planer.

Students outside the pop-up classroom

Earlier in the year, in August Trundle Central School had a surprise visit from Healthy Harold who delivered some colour to kids in one of NSW’s most drought stricken areas.

Accompanied by Life Education NSW CEO Kellie Sloane and the Mayor of Parkes, Cr Ken Keith, Harold handed out goodie bags full of art supplies to excited students during one of their school assemblies.

Then in November, thanks to generous donation from Kantar Australia and Northparkes Mines, Trundle Central School and St Patrick’s School received a visit from the Life Ed van.

Trundle Central School Principal John Southon said Healthy Harold delivered a boost to the kids at a time when they need it the most.

“The kids are coming from a depressed, dying environment. The paddocks are brown, we are having dust storms. This makes such a difference,” he said.

“One little boy who loves to draw … and who doesn’t come from a situation where he has a lot of material to do it … he was just stunned picking up those colours. He will be drawing to his heart’s content.

“Life Ed is evolving its programs to be more relevant in our social environment. I am looking forward to their continued involvement with our school.”

Life Ed has also visited many other drought affected communities throughout NSW this year, thanks to the continued support of local councils and clubs, via Community Building Partnerships and clubGRANTS scheme.