AN OLD tree on the ninth fairway of the Leongatha Golf Club was debarked and its bare branches were painted summer sky blue last week.
The painted tree is part of the now worldwide Blue Tree Project and is intended as a symbol of hope and a conversation starter for men, their mental health and a reminder that it’s ok to not be ok.
Eighty per cent of the Leongatha Golf Clubs (LGC) members are men and it was Rebecca Thomas, Women’s Golf Captain at LGC who initiated the project.
“I’d seen them (blue trees) on a lot of other golf courses, so I thought it would be really nice for our club to help recognise mental health,” Rebecca explained.
Lianne Addamson, LGC Board Member, helped to get the ball rolling on the project getting South Gippsland Shire Council on board, who provided a cherry picker and manpower to help trim the tree that had been selected.
“It’s more for men’s mental health care and awareness - although it’s not exclusive to them - because they tend not to talk about things,” said Lianne.
A large old tree on the tenth hole was initially selected and prepared, however not everything went smoothly on the morning it was to be painted.
The ground near the tree had become wet underfoot from recent rains and the cherry picker got bogged.
Safety became a concern, but with firm commitment to the project it was decided another tree on the course would be found and painted.
After scouting the fairways, the tree on ninth was deemed suitable and being quite a bit smaller than the original tree, the cherry picker was sent away after successfully getting pulled from the bog.
Out came a couple of ladders, painting equipment and a large tin of blue paint, kindly donated by Rob Geyer from Haymes Paint in Wonthaggi.
Michael Rowe and Alan Starkey, both members of LGC, got to painting the tree, with Alan on the roller and Michael on the spray gun – and with others mindful to stay up wind of the spray for fear of ending up blue too.
In no time at all the tree was painted, the branches brightly popping blue against the backdrop of manicured grass and big gums.
Rebecca and Lianne hope the tree will be noticed and prompt men playing on the course to speak up and have the courage to start difficult conversations, particularly those who live in rural and regional aeras.
“It’s more for focusing on regional areas where we don’t have as many services regionally as they do in the city - and access to it,” said Lianne.
The Blue Tree Project initially began out of tragedy following the loss of WA man Jayden Whyte to suicide in 2018.
Jaydens family and friends started a legacy in his honour by painting a tree blue.
This was shared and sparked a wave of support nationally and internationally with communities painting trees blue too.
The idea stemmed from an adventure Jayden and a close friend once embarked upon.
They were asked to clean out Jaydens fathers shed, and to throw out the paint tins.
They came across one with bright blue paint that was still useable and decided to find a tree on the farm and paint it in secret to surprise, confuse and delight his dad.
Over two nights, with all the gear they painted the first blue tree.
Sadly, not long after, Jayden was suffering and sought help but was turned away from an Emergency Department twice in the same day, and subsequently took his own life.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, males are three times more likely to take their own lives than females.
In 2022 there were 2455 male deaths (by suicide) at a rate of 18.8 per 100,000.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people and almost a third of people aged 15- to 24-year-olds died by suicide in 2022.
It is hoped these blue trees will help to save lives and are visual reminders to check in on loved ones and mates who might be struggling.
If this story has raised any concerns, get in touch with Lifeline for crisis support, available 24/7 on 13 11 14 or for emergencies call 000.
