Yarrabee Coal donation secures Life Education van at Central Qld schools

Students across Central Queensland have access to an educational and imaginative health and safety program over three years through the support of a local business.

Blackwater North State School students meeting Healthy Harold after a session about positive health, wellness and how their bodies work.

A $30,000 business donation will provide Central Queensland students with access to an educational and imaginative health and safety program over three years.

The donation from Yarrabee Coal will enable the iconic Life Education Mobile Learning Centre, organised through Central Queensland (CQ) Life Education, to continue the delivery of the early learning and primary school programs to children in regional schools at Blackwater, Bluff, Dingo, Woorabinda, Baralaba and Duaringa.

Lisa Wogand from Blackwater North State School said Healthy Harold was a memorable icon, teaching students how to lead healthy lives.

“The Life Education Van is a fantastic resource to teach children about ways that they can live healthy lives,” she said.

“I fondly remember my childhood experiences visiting the Life Ed van and hearing Harold’s messages.”

Life Education will also offer the ‘Welcome to Puberty’ module from the personal development program ‘Talk About It’ for the first time to students in Years 5 and 6.

A successful session at Blackwater North State School with Healthy Harold, Tom Hayes (Yarrabee Coal), Liz Hills (Healthy Harold Educator) and Lisa Wogand (Blackwater North State School Principal).

Yarrabee Coal operations manager Cris Shadbolt was proud to launch the partnership.

“As one of the key employers in the region, we are committed to financially investing and playing an active role in our local community so partnering with Life Education is a perfect fit,” he said.

“Many of our people have children and teenagers at the local schools so we are pleased we can have a positive impact on them by funding a visit from Healthy Harold.”

Established in 1979, Life Education is Australia’s largest children’s charity and provides health, drug, and alcohol education to empower kids to make safe and healthy choices.

It delivers specialised health education programs in a Mobile Learning Centre, using the iconic mascot Healthy Harold the giraffe, connecting with children aged 3-17 years of age.

CQ Life Education educator Liz Hills said the funding would be vital in ensuring the continuation of the service across the region.

“As our future leaders, we recognise how critical it is to empower children and teenagers with information about positive health, wellness and how their bodies work so that they can make informed decisions and know how to stay healthy, safe and happy,” she said.

“We rely heavily on the support of our volunteers, local business and the support of the community to enable us to continue our important work. Yarrabee Coal coming on as a major sponsor is greatly appreciated.”

The van now features several technological updates such as virtual reality, a large touch screen TV and airconditioning to help engage the students and keep them comfortable.