The tree painting will take place this Friday at Chinaman’s Island Nature Reserve on the shore of Lake Mulwala in a collaboration between Bunnings Yarrawonga, Yarrawonga Mulwala Amateur Canoe Club and Dulux, which has donated the blue paint.
Blue Tree Project is a charity with a mission to change how we talk about mental health by sparking difficult conversations and encouraging people to speak up when they are struggling.
It encourages community painting days, where a dead tree is daubed in blue paint. The tree then becomes a visual reminder to check in with loved ones and mates who might be struggling with their mental health.
Bunnings Yarrawonga Activities Organiser Tim Roadley, who is leading the Chinaman’s Island tree painting, said they have been preparing the tree by removing the bark and wire brushing it.
“The blue tree is located on Goulburn Murray Water land and will be visible to both walkers and lake users, creating a striking talking point,” Tim said.
The Yarrawonga Mulwala Canoe Club will also hold a ‘come and try’ event at 6pm on the day of the painting so people can view the tree from the water while trying out paddling.
Blue Tree Project started in WA in 2018 and has flourished into a global movement, with 1286 registered painted trees now found around the world.
Blue trees dotted across every continent of the world (minus Antarctica) are both beacons of hope and conversation starters.
The painting of the dead tree on Chinaman’s Island will start at 1pm and finish at 5pm this Friday, October 25.
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