Happy with the final result are Murray Irrigation HR manager Nicole Young, Deon Heyward from Jones Tree Removal, Jaqui Bumpstead from Wattyl, Bernie Thomson and local painter Ian Armer.
A project that began some time ago with Murray Irrigation employee Bernie Thomson gazing out his office window, came to fruition over the weekend.
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Bernie was assessing the dead tree on the side of the Newell Highway and what good use could be made of it when he came up with the idea of painting it blue.
For those who are not aware, the Blue Tree Project is a national initiative using dead trees painted blue to raise awareness of mental health issues.
By spreading the paint and the message that “it's okay to not be okay", it can help break down the stigma that's still largely associated with mental health.
Most communities have residents suffering mental health issues and, unfortunately, Finley is no exception.
Once Bernie had decided to take on the Blue Tree Project, he approached some businesses and individuals to assist him achieving his goal and they agreed without hesitation.
All involved provided their services without charge.
Jones Tree Removal operator Deon Heyward preparing the dead tree to be painted blue.
Brenan Jones, an arborist from Cobram, provided the machinery and operator Deon Heyward to tidy up the tree.
It was prepared for local painter Ian Armer to carry out the paint job.
Ian was very quick to explain it was the first time he had been asked to paint a tree!
Wattyl came to the rescue and provided the distinctive blue paint free of charge.
Representative Jaqui Bumpstead even travelled from Bendigo on Saturday morning with extra stock to make sure there was plenty of paint for the project.
Murray Irrigation has generously donated signage with a QR code, explaining the purpose of the tree.
Finley Apex Club took on the responsibility of raising money to cover the cost of the fuel necessary and, of course, Bernie very competently supervised the whole operation, with the help of his wife and daughters!
Rob Daniel and Hardy Singh assisted with clearing the debris from pruning the tree.
At one stage, with rolling thunder and rain threatening, it was thought the work might have to be put on hold.
However, the workers did not let that deter them from completing the job.
The finished project's informative signage.
If making awareness of mental health issues was the purpose of the Blue Tree, it has certainly achieved that.
Half an hour into the project, traffic on the Newell Highway was already sounding horns in acknowledgement.
In Australia, around one in two people will struggle with their mental health during their lifetime.
Learning about mental health will help everyone look after their social and emotional wellbeing.
It will also provide the knowledge to support family members and friends.
• Anyone requiring crisis support can contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. You can also contact the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au.
Local painter Ian Armer (left) spraying the finishing touches to the tree while supervised by Bernie Thomson.
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