Acommunity group has received a green light response for its blue tree in Millicent proposal from Wattle Range Council.
For some time, the Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network has wanted to paint a significant tree blue to help spark conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns.
In her letter to council, Network secretary Marg Chapple said the Blue Tree Project’s key message was that “it’s OK to not be OK”.
Ms Chapple said this was a national initiative with just under 700 trees painted throughout Australia and 35 in SA.
“Other Networks in the Limestone Coast have painted blue trees in their districts and we would like to have at least one in the Wattle Range Council area,” Ms Chapple said.
“We would like to paint the old gum tree that council placed on its side next to the upgraded tennis courts in the Domain. We would like to put a plaque either on the tree stump or nearby explaining the meaning of The Blue Tree.
“Any cost would be met either by our network or any sponsors as far as donation of paint et cetera. It would be the responsibility of the network to maintain the paintwork into the future.”
The request was endorsed at the March council meeting after certain technical matters were addressed by engineering services director Peter Halton.
The Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network members include Mayor Des Noll and council chief executive Ben Gower and they absented themselves from the chamber during deliberations.
