Ways to Get Involved

Keast Park burst with colour at Healthy Harold’s Parkes Festival of Health

Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Keast Park was transformed into a vibrant celebration of health and wellbeing on Wednesday, 7 May, as Healthy Harold’s Colour Run returned for its second year, launching the 2025 Healthy Harold Parkes Festival of Health. Running from 5-16 May, the festival is uniting the Parkes community in support of positive health outcomes, mental wellbeing, and inclusive community engagement.

Hundreds of participants of all ages walked, ran, and danced through clouds of colourful powder, while exploring interactive booths hosted by local organisations. These booths provided valuable resources and sparked important conversations about health, safety, and wellbeing – igniting interest in healthier lifestyles for all and a stronger understanding of the local health services available.

The event, hosted by Life Ed NSW, was made possible through the generous support of local community organisations including Parkes Shire Council, Western NSW Local Health District, Transport for NSW, Parkes Rotary Club, Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations, Parkes Que Club, PCYC Parkes, Neighbourhood Central, and the Country Women’s Association. Healthy Harold, Life Ed’s iconic giraffe mascot, was a crowd favourite, with families and friends capturing countless selfies throughout the afternoon. A complimentary BBQ, provided with the support of Woolworths Parkes and served by the Rotary Club of Parkes, ensured everyone could refuel after their colourful adventure.

The Colour Run is a cornerstone event within Healthy Harold’s Parkes Festival of Health, which unites local schools, families, health services, and organisations in a collaborative effort to enhance community engagement, while amplifying the health and safety messages that mean the most to Parkes,
Ken Keith OAM, Chair of Life Ed NSW

This year, the Colour Run continues to be a cornerstone event of Healthy Harold’s Parkes Festival of Health, which reaches over 1,300 children across 14 schools and early learning centres in Parkes and surrounding regions. Life Ed’s specialist health educators deliver engaging lessons on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, personal safety, respectful relationships, cybersafety, and making positive decisions around drugs and alcohol, including vaping

“Keast Park exploded with colour as hundreds of locals joined the second annual Healthy Harold Colour Run – the flagship event of the 2025 Healthy Harold Parkes Festival of Health. This year’s festival, running 5-16 May, introduced a new free Peer Support wellbeing webinar for teachers, building on the event’s whole-community approach to health and wellbeing,
Jonathon Peatfield, Chief Executive Officer at Life Ed NSW

A highlight of this year’s festival was the launch of a free Peer Support program webinar for teachers, educators, and support staff in Parkes. Hosted by Jill Pearman, wellbeing and education expert at Peer Support, the session provided practical ways to build wellbeing across school communities.

Interested in bringing the Life Ed program to your school? Enquire about a booking today!

Share
Tags