A replacement for The Wiggles ‘Big Red Car’

The Wiggles, an entertainment group for children, states on their website:

The band, the songs, and even the experiences have changed along the way, but the focus never has: Children are their inspiration; Education their goal; music and movement is their way.

They have used a Big Red Car in their shows and songs for many years. It seems the Big Red Car is being replaced by a Big Red Ute. To me, this seems a rather odd decision at a time when the world is trying to encourage greater sustainability, and where better to encourage change than with our children.

As I drive and walk around the suburbs of a large Australian city the number of utes and large SUVs has increased greatly over the last few years. They have their uses, but are certainly not the best vehicles for short trips like driving one or two children to school. The streets are the same widths, but more vehicles are parked on the streets rather than in garages or on driveways these days, and as more and more large vehicles are being driven as regular day to day vehicles, it makes the streets more dangerous for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, who are more likely to be children. Driving is no longer a pleasant activity, just one of survival every time you leave home, and a walk to the shops is no longer enjoyable.

I thought The Wiggles believed they had a responsibility for the children they were entertaining and educating. Their decision to move to the Big Red Ute seems at odds with their original aims. The new sponsored arrangement involves trust on both sides, but one thing I have learnt in life is you need to expect the unexpected. Should one organisation be involved in some form of controversy, for whatever reason, it could also involve the other one. Also, is supporting, promoting or influencing children and family members to drive utes when they get their licenses and purchase vehicles the most appropriate message for our children. Replacing the Big Red Car with a small red one, may not have provided the same financial rewards.

Some would say it’s none of my business as I don’t have children (although, I have great nieces and nephews who I care about). As I walk or drive past the schools in my area I see parents sitting in their large vehicles idling the engines for lengthy periods to keep the vehicles cool or warm depending on the season while waiting to pick up their primary school children. It seems they may not care about sustainability. While they may say the right things, their actions show otherwise.

We all need to take the lead and set a better example for our young people and our future.