Caravan Gogh

Bright Approach To An All-Round Education

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

The arrival of the Life Education Van or the "Life Ed Van" as it is commonly known here, is always a highlight for Australian primary schools. Basically, it is a mobile classroom used by a not-for-profit organisation that does great work around the country.

According to the Life Education charter, the organisation "motivates, encourages and empowers young people to make smart life choices for a healthy future, free from the harmful effects of drugs." It does this by encouraging "respect for the uniqueness of each individual, and teaches the skills to assert confidently that individuality, especially in social settings with friends."

This particular Life Ed Van is distinctive in that it features the distinctive artwork and animal characters created by children’s author and illustrator Michael Salmon. I’ve never actually met him but I’m very familiar with his work, with several of his titles on our bookshelves at home.

Apart from being well-known in creative circles, he spends a lot of time each year visiting schools, speaking to children and using humour to help students develop a healthy respect for themselves, their peers and for society in general.

Michael Salmon also gets my vote because he encourages awareness of schoolchildren protecting the rights of younger students, not just in the classroom but, more importantly, on the playing field as well. I was fortunate never to have been bullied at boarding school, so I understand just how vital the message is.

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