Tuesday, February 2023
After 35 years of working with children in Queensland schools, we are beyond excited to mark a new Life Ed Queensland milestone.
Last Friday, we officially launched our new office space at Broadbeach. Located in the Gold Coast City Council’s newly renovated Broadbeach Community Space, it’s a vibrant new hub for our charity’s statewide reach and mission – empowering thousands of children with health and safety education.
A big thank you to our patron, the Hon. Rob Borbidge AO, for mc-ing our launch event.
Thanks also to the Life Ed Queensland board, staff, supporters, media, Healthy Harold of course, and educators Lisa and Brad, for representing our amazing educators across Queensland who help create a healthier future for generations of children.
Thanks also to Life Ed Australia Board chair Sue O’Malley and Life Ed Australia CEO Russell D’Costa for joining our celebration event.
From a stirring Welcome to Country, and song and dance, to stories about our program’s impact, and a finale performance from Healthy Harold, we could not have asked for a better day to herald a new Life Ed chapter.
Life Ed QLD, CEO, Michael Fawsitt.
New era
Life Ed Queensland CEO Michael Fawsitt says it’s a thrill to be back at Broadbeach after more than a year of precinct renovation. The new head office accommodates more than 20 Life Ed staff with room for continued team expansion.
More than 30 roving educators deliver the program in schools across Queensland.
“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.”
New features
The new Life Ed space features a stunning foyer display showcasing the charity’s key milestones, and a new state-of-the-art sound and video studio which will allow educators to zoom virtual lessons into regional and remote parts of Queensland.
The office relaunch marks a special milestone for Jack Ray, who sits on the board of Life Ed Queensland as deputy chair. Jack’s father, the late Brian Ray, founded the original Life Education Centre in 1987 along with fellow Gold Coast business leader Ron McMaster, the duo able to fund 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 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,” Mr 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.”
Official ribbon cutting, Jack Ray, Michael Fawsitt, Rob Borbidge & Peter Morgan.
