Blue Tree Day tees off again

GOLFERS have taken to the fairways again in Ocean Grove in a day that not only inspired conversations about mental health awareness but also raised money for Read the Play.

Ocean Grove Golf Club hosted its second Blue Tree Day on Tuesday this week, with a full field of 84 golfers playing in the ambrose tournament in groups of six.

The event also included a raffle and a silent auction, and proceeds went to Read the Play to support its many programs to improve mental health awareness in sports.

Ocean Grove Golf Club’s Blue Tree is located on the outer edge of the nine-hole course and is one of more than 1,600 registered worldwide with the Blue Tree Project.

 

The first Blue Tree was painted in Western Australia to acknowledge the memory of Jayden Whyte after he took his own life in 2018.

The trees have spread globally since then, with the initiative now a charity that helps change the way Australians talk about mental health.

Blue Tree Day organiser Chris Niven said the debut event in May 2025 went very well so the plan was always to do it again.

“We felt it was a great opportunity to promote the meaning behind it and talk about mental health,” he said.

“Then we thought we could not only do an educational day based around a day of golf but also a fundraiser.

 

“Read the Play is Geelong-based for the past 20 years and does mental health and wellbeing education to kids in all our footy and netball clubs, so it’s a perfect recipient.”

Niven said it was a massive team effort from everyone at the club to stage the day.

“We know from last year it really did trigger some conversations about how you’re feeling and looking after your mates,” he said.

“We actually had some really interesting conversations after the presentation last year; people came up and talked about how they’d been impacted in their life, which was quite amazing.”

Guest speakers during lunch included Read the Play founder Dave Langley, Read the Play general manager Michelle Gertz and Geelong Cats head of player development and wellbeing Mark Worthington.

Langley said Read the Play was a little naive in its early stages with its initial focus on drug and alcohol problems.

“After a couple of years we realised the real issue was mental health, so the program now is more about mental health and the issues that come from that: drugs, alcohol, social media, bullying, eating disorders,” he said.

 

Worthington said the Cats were no different to any other workplace in valuing a sense of connection and purpose.

“When you’re in a scenario like this where you’ve played a round of golf with some of the players and you hear some of the stories, they’re not talking about round nine 2018 when we beat so and so, they’re talking about all the memories and connections they have and the people that have gone, be it staff or players,” he said.

“That’s the thing that forms that strong bond and their purpose.”

For more information on the Blue Tree Project, head tobluetreeproject.com.au

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or phone 1300 224 636. You can also head to lifeline.org.au or phone them on 13 11 14, and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by phoning 1800 551 800.