mmg.com.au

He’s arguably Australia’s most well-known giraffe and Healthy Harold has a brand new home.

The long-time Life Education mascot will travel in style in a new mobile learning centre, launched at Tatura Primary school yesterday.

Members of the Life Education Goulburn Murray region committee celebrated the launch of the new centre, which will be the 17th van to be used in Victoria.

Built by Strathmerton company Murray Valley Motor Homes, it will travel the Goulburn and Murray valleys teaching students how to be healthy and safe.

Committee member Andrew Galbraith said it was a great day for the much-loved giraffe.

‘‘Everyone seems to remember Harold ... it’s a great van inside, the van is very comfortable for the kids ... Harold comes out of his little corner and the kids just love it,’’ Mr Galbraith said.

He said Harold would continue the tradition of bringing important health messages to local children.

‘‘I think the Goulburn Murray (region) continually needs this form of education,’’ he said.

‘‘We have a lot of youth who display a number of issues and problems and I think that if we can start from the ground up hopefully it will make a big difference.’’

Year 6 student Michael Coonerty said he was looking forward to seeing more of Harold.

‘‘I’ve been in the Life Ed van a couple of times and I’ve seen Harold most times and I’ve got to pat him, so it’s been really good,’’ he said.

Life Education Victoria chief executive Michelle Wood said the organisation was the largest non-government provider of health and drug education to children and young people.

“Life Education along with Healthy Harold aims to empower young people to make informed decisions related to their own health, wellbeing and behaviours, by expanding their knowledge and skills through our interactive education sessions,’’ Ms Wood said.

‘‘Students are motivated by the session content which is current, relevant and age specific, to make healthy lifestyle decisions.’’

According to the Life Education website, more than four million students have participated in Life Education’s programs during the past 34 years.