Cemeteries Trust keeps Blue Tree initiative growing

ANOTHER Blue Tree has grown in the Geelong region, with the Geelong Cemeteries Trust revealing its contribution to the national initiative.

The sculptural tree in the grounds of Geelong Memorial Park was officially launched on Tuesday last week.

It is part of the Blue Tree Project, a mental health awareness initiative that aims to spark difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns.

The launch also marked National Paint a Blue Tree Day and World Mental Health Day.

Attendees included Geelong MP Christine Couzens and City of Greater Geelong councillors Melissa Cadwell and Peter Murrihy.

The City of Greater Geelong has a higher percentage rate of mental health conditions (11.1 per cent) than the statewide and national average (8.8 per cent).

Kim Edgar, a local mother and mental health and suicide prevention advocate spoke at the launch, poignantly talking about the significance of the Blue Tree Project.

Ms Edgar lost her son to suicide in 2018 – the same year Jayden Whyte, who inspired the Blue Tree Project, took his own life.

“To have a tangible reminder of the significance of having those difficult conversations, seeking help and supporting others with their mental health is very powerful,” Geelong Cemeteries Trust chair John Mitchell said.

Blue Trees are typically dead before being painted a characteristic shade of blue (Wattyl Blue Tree) by the community, but in in this instance been locally sculpted and installed as an enduring symbol.

“This is about bringing people together and caring for our community,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The Blue Tree is a beacon of hope.”

Geelong Cemeteries Trust says it warmly welcomes the community to visit Geelong Memorial Park to see the Blue Tree.

Last week’s event follows the work by the Women’s Sharing Shed Torquay on their Blue Tree, which will be officially launched at the front of Torquay Community House today (Friday, October 20) from 2pm.