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 have been left ‘heartbroken’ over new changes made to a beloved school education program. 

Those who grew up in Australia between the 80s and mid-2000s will remember the excitement of giraffe puppet Healthy Harold arriving at their school in the iconic Life Education vans. 

For more than four decades, the friendly giraffe travelled around the country talking to children from the back of his decked-out caravan about drugs, alcohol and healthy eating.

But a photo shared on Reddit of a new Life Education ute, rather than the famous RV, sparked instant concern among nostalgic Aussies.

‘Australia’s cost of living crisis has hit poor Healthy Harold. Had to downsize his rig,’ the poster wrote. 

A photo of a Life Education ute was taken by a car driving by (pictured). These vehicles are used in addition to the iconic vans for new pop-up sessions at schools

Many jumped to conclusions and believed this signalled the end of the famous caravan sessions. 

‘Going to be much harder to squeeze 20 kids into the back of that rather than the bus. I’ve no doubt that psychotic giraffe will try though,’ one joked. 

‘Mate, it’s just a puppet stand in the corner of the classroom these days. No longer do you get to go in the dark truck parked on the oval,’ another said. 

‘Give it a few years and it’ll be a webinar,’ a third added. 

Healthy Harold (pictured) teaches kids about issues such as 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 at schools, just not as often as they once did. 

‘They definitely still have the van, or they did as recently as the start of this year, I saw it on the side of the road whilst driving somewhere, can’t remember where.’ 

‘My son had the big trailer at his school all week when Harold came through,’ another said.

‘I actually saw the van itself yesterday! It’s currently at a school on Old Cleveland Road in Brisbane, might have been Carindale/Chandler I’m not sure which. But it brought back some vintage memories,’ one claimed. 

The CEO at Life Ed, Australia Russell D’Costa, said the vans are still in operation today in addition to new pop-up learning, live virtual sessions and pre-recorded sessions. 

‘Just as the curriculum has changed over the years, so has Healthy Harold and the approach of the Life Ed team to meet the needs of students, teachers and communities across the country. This includes the way we deliver our program,’ Mr D’Costa said. 

‘Our iconic mobile learning centres (vans) are still in operation in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, the ACT, and the Northern Territory. 

‘We also deliver education across the country in pop-up (inflatable) classrooms, existing classrooms and via our (live) virtual and (pre-recorded) online lessons.

‘Our collaborative approach flexes to fit around the needs of different schools, which allows us to cater to class sizes ranging from several students in remote communities to several hundred.’ 

Many took to the thread to share their favourite Harold memories. 

‘It’s not a stranger danger lesson unless you’re lured into a van by a smoking giraffe offering free stickers,’ one wrote. 

‘Healthy Harold used to visit my kids’ school on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and was sprung quite a few times nicking behind his big van for a cigarette when the kids went back into class.’

‘I still feel ripped off to this day when we were in the truck going to space but I was next to the door and there was a gap I could see the schoolyard through and we hadn’t actually gone anywhere,’ one more added.