Blue tree continue to rise on South West horizons

The Southern Ports Authority has thrown its weight behind the increasingly prominent Blue Tree project as it campaigns for greater mental health awareness across the country.

Bunbury Port general manager Darren Lambourn said a tree had recently been painted blue on Estuary Drive and a second near the intersection of Willinge Drive and Thomson Road had also been singled out for the treatment.

He said the project would involve employees as well as their families.

“Having become aware of the Blue Tree project and as a significant landholder in the region, we felt we had a great opportunity to bring attention to this very important cause,” Mr Lambourn said.

A spokesman for the port authority said it was proud to support the project as the latest example in a long line of initiatives to highlight mental health matters that were offered to employees in Albany, Bunbury and Esperance.

A Gelorup tree was also painted blue by Gelorup bushfire service control officer Jeff McDougall a fortnight ago.

Mr McDougall took three weeks to landscape the area around the tree and carried out the project as a tribute to his brother.

Boyanup Progress Association members turned a tree on South Western Highway blue last month.

Members of the group painted the tree entirely by hand in an effort to help people talk about mental health more openly.