After 35 years of working with children in schools across the state, Life Ed Queensland has celebrated a new milestone.
The iconic program, which empowers children with health, safety and social and emotional learning, has a bold new head office in the Broadbeach Community Space following the Gold Coast City Council’s $14.8 million makeover of the Broadbeach Cultural Precinct.
Life Ed Queensland patron the Hon. Rob Borbidge AO mc-ed Friday’s office launch and was joined by the charity’s Queensland board, state and national CEOs, staff and supporters.
Kombumerri man Lann Levinge - a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist - and dancer Bianca Hayes opened the celebration with a stirring Welcome to Country performance which blended music, dance and video elements.
After guests heard stories about the impact of the Life Ed program, Healthy Harold fever took hold, with the lovable giraffe ambassador making a surprise appearance to the melody, “Harold, I want to be cool like you”.
Life Ed shares the Broadbeach Community Space with some of the city’s leading arts and cultural organisations including Placemakers* Gold Coast, which produces the Bleach arts festival.
Life Ed Queensland CEO Michael Fawsitt says his team is thrilled to be back at Broadbeach after more than 12 months of precinct renovation.
“This is an exciting milestone in Life Ed Queensland’s history,” Mr Fawsitt said.
“Broadbeach has been the headquarters for our work with Queensland children for 35 years. Now, thanks to council’s vision, we have this amazing new space, which is going to help us make an even greater difference in the lives of Gold Coast and Queensland children.
“This year alone, more than 30,000 Gold Coast children and over 200,000 Queensland children will receive vital health and wellbeing education through the work of Life Ed.”
The new space features a stunning foyer display showcasing the charity’s key milestones, and a high-tech sound and video studio which will allow educators to zoom virtual lessons into regional and remote parts of Queensland.
For Jack Ray, deputy chair of the Life Ed board, the office unveil is a personal milestone. His father, the late Brian Ray, founded the original Life Education Centre in 1987 along with fellow Gold Coast business leader Ron McMaster, the duo funding the building construction with support from the local business community.
“My parents strongly believed in the positive impact that Life Education has on children’s lives, so it’s a proud moment that we are now celebrating this new chapter for Life Ed Queensland,” Mr Ray said.
“I’ve always believed in the power of the Life Ed program with its focus on preventative education and teaching kids about drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping, but I’m so excited to see how the organisation has evolved to deal with the issues schools and young people are dealing with today.
“The Life Ed program now covers mental health, bullying, cybersafety, puberty, respectful relationships and consent; and schools have been telling us that teachers, parents and children need greater support in these areas.”
Although Life Ed’s team of 30 roving educators will continue to deliver themed modules in around 700 schools and preschools throughout Queensland, the new Life Ed office will be able to accommodate parent seminars and education sessions.
“We are really excited about having an even greater opportunity to work with students and parents now that we are back in the Broadbeach head office space,” Queensland CEO Michael Fawsitt said.
“It’s a new era, and a chance to build upon our proud legacy of empowering Queensland children to make safer and healthier choices through education.”