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Firstly, a happy new year to you! We would again like to thank you for your support to Life Education in 2009. 2010 promises to be an exciting year for Life Education but before we go too far, we would like to let you know what we achieved last year!
In 2009, Life Education reached almost 700,000 children across Australia and provided education and support to their families and teachers. Here is just one example:
“Just a quick vote of confidence in Healthy Harold. Our 4 year old son has been very limited in the fruit and vegetables he would eat, despite our best efforts. Harold recently visited his preschool and from that very afternoon the change in his eating habits has been remarkable.” (NSW Parent)
Life Education Tasmania was formed to allow us to bring our drug and health education program to children living in this state. We (and Harold!) are really looking forward to meeting many new young children in this State!
Life Education also visited two mining towns, Collie in Western Australia and Blackwater in Queensland, and was able to provide our health and education programs.
The Gold Harold Awards took place in July at The Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. This is the second year that the Gold Harold Awards Night has been held. The night is an occasion to recognise people who have contributed to the healthy development of children through their work, philanthropy, or volunteer efforts. Recipients of the Gold Harold Award included journalist and TV presenter Melissa Doyle and The Menzies School of Health Research.
A new education module called “Mind Your Medicine”, highlighting the dangers of the misuse of medicines, was launched. Mind Your Medicine has been extremely well received in schools and has been delivered to over 93,000 children since its release in February this year.
 In December, Life Education held its first International Conference in Sydney. Delegates from all over Australia and Life Education’s international community came together to share information and skills. It also gave our teachers the chance to update their knowledge and skills and be reinvigorated by the many topics our international speakers presented.
Life Education is well aware of the need to provide people with information and resources on drug, alcohol and health issues. As a result, we redesigned and updated this website to provide more information and resources.
“Ocsober”, our main fundraising campaign, was a huge success. The money raised goes directly to Life Education to give  more children the skills and knowledge to say “No” to drugs. Our thanks go to our Ambassadors who endorsed and promoted Ocsober, our Legends who gave up alcohol in October, and their supporters who gave their financial support.
2009 was a time for strategic planning for Life Education. Life Education completed a five year strategic plan which has the aim of allowing us to reach one million children across Australia.
Parents are a vital influence on their children and during 2009 Life Education continued to conduct Family Forums and Parent Information Sessions.
These achievements only happen because of people like you who believe in what we do. 2010 will be a year of new challenges for us at Life Education. We know, however, that with your support we can meet these challenges. Our children are our future.
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Another of the many inspirational speakers at the conference was Trevor Grice, (at right) who is the Founder Director of Life Education Trust NZ and co-author of The Great Brain Robbery, a best seller describing the negative impact of drugs on the maturing brain. Grice has lectured at many international forums including The House of Commons (UK), British Headmasters Conference for Public Schools (Island of Jersey), and World Health Organisation New York Conference. Grice discussed the empowering of parents when it comes to drugs, alcohol and their children.
Healthy Harold made a special guest appearance at the recent Primary Principals Association Annual Conference held at the Sofitel Hotel in Sydney this November. 
Celebrities who are planning to give up their long necks and go OCSOBER to raise money for Life Education joined Life Education Corporate supporters and Healthy Harold for some fabulous Mocktails at the Ivy Den Bar in Sydney yesterday.
Healthy Harold was personally invited by the ACT Brumbies Rugby Team to take part in its annual half time Mascot’s Dash at their home game in Canberra at Canberra Stadium.
