If you grew up in Australia, the mere mention of Healthy Harold likely conjures up a wave of nostalgia.
The iconic yellow giraffe puppet, the mobile classroom, the starry roof – it’s a cherished memory for millions of primary school students.
But now, fans of the beloved Life Education program can relive their childhood in an unexpected, and perhaps confronting, way: one of the program’s decommissioned vans was recently put up for rent in Brisbane.
The distinctive Life Education van, instantly recognisable to generations of Australians, was available on Facebook Marketplace with a price tag of $300 per week.
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You could live in a Life Ed van. Photo: Reddit/A_little_curiosity
The van has been converted into a home. Photo: Reddit/A_little_curiosity
Advertised as an “own access room with ensuite” in the South Brisbane suburb of Coopers Plains, the listing quickly garnered attention before being removed.
Screenshots, however, circulated on Reddit, revealing the details of this unique rental opportunity.
“A portable home on wheel available for rented on site for $300 per week,” the description read, offering airconditioning, electricity, a private toilet and bathroom, and a small kitchen with a fridge.
The landlord even offered a $20 discount for tenants opting for an unfurnished space.
Its proximity to Griffith University and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital was also highlighted.
Students from Surveyors Creek Public School pose for a picture in 2023 outside the Healthy Harold Kids Nutrition truck. Picture: Adam Yip
The revelation sparked a mixed reaction online.
Many social media users were swept up in the nostalgia.
“I’d be down if it comes with a Harold, and the starry roof is still in place,” one commenter mused, while another declared, “Not going to lie, I would absolutely love to own that.”
However, others found the listing a stark reflection of Australia’s challenging rental market. “A lot of rose tinted nostalgia here (…) I’m all for tiny homes but this is sadness,” one person wrote, with another drawing a grim comparison: “My friend’s younger sister pays more to live in a shipping container in Newcastle next to a cemetery.”
To put the $300 per week price into perspective, PropTrack’s February Market Trends Report indicates the median rent for a house in Coopers Plains sits at $635 a week and at $640 for a unit.
A legacy of learning: The enduring charm of Healthy Harold
Beyond its current incarnation as a potential rental, the Life Education van holds a special place in Australia’s educational history.
The concept of Healthy Harold was first conceptualised in 1979 by the late Reverend Ted Noffs, who sought to address the burgeoning issue of illicit drug use and other health challenges facing young Australians.
The Healthy Harold team teaches Living Waters Lutheran School students about respectful relationships.
Kids enjoying a visit from the Healthy Harold team.
Life Education NT educator Suzi Spedding worked alongside Healthy Harold for 20 years.
Designed to educate children on health, nutrition, and safety in a fun, interactive way, Harold and his mobile classrooms have since reached over 7 million children across the nation.
The program initially began in a bricks-and-mortar classroom in Sydney’s Kings Cross, but soaring demand quickly necessitated innovation.
The first mobile classroom, a purpose-built van, was introduced in 1982, allowing the program to reach schools in even the most remote communities.
For decades, the arrival of the Life Education van was a highlight of the school year.
Students eagerly lined up for their turn inside the mobile classroom, where they would meet Harold, learn about their bodies, and engage with interactive displays, sometimes even featuring a Transparent Anatomical Mannequin (TAM).
Healthy Harold started teaching NT students in the 80s.
The Healthy Harold team in the 80s.
Healthy Harold visits an NT school in the 80s.
These experiences fostered vital conversations about healthy choices, physical activity, and, more recently, online safety.
Despite facing funding challenges over the years – including reports of threats to the program in 2024 due to state government cuts, and a federal government attempt in 2017 that was swiftly reversed after public backlash – Healthy Harold continues to be a prominent part of Australian primary school education.
While the in-person program temporarily moved online during Covid, it resumed on 13 October 2020 and remains a cherished institution.
The sight of a Life Education van, whether on the road or, in this unique case, on a rental listing, continues to evoke a powerful sense of shared history and fond memories for millions of Australians.
It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of a program that has shaped generations, reminding us all of the simple, yet profound, lessons taught by a friendly giraffe and his mobile classroom.
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