General News
4 February, 2026
Blue tree spark mental health talks
A tree located in Dimboola Recreation Reserve might be looking blue after it was given a makeover recently, but it's hoped it will help people not feel blue.
On January 2, Bendigo Bank board members and bank staff painted a select tree blue in acknowledgement of The Blue Tree Project.
The project began in 2019, inspired by the death of Jayden Whyte, after he and a friend painted a dead tree on Jayden's family farm as a prank before his suicide.
Despite this, the blue trees stand as a symbol of hope, not loss.
The mission of the project is to help anchor conversations and encourage people to speak up about mental health.
The Dimboola blue tree isn't the first for the region - with another in Warracknabeal painted recently.
For new Dimboola Bendigo Bank manager Melissa Howard, it was her first community project in the role.
She was joined by former bank manager Wayne Anderson, along with other board members and bank staff in painting the tree.
If you or anyone else needs help, it is available 24/7 by calling Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or texting 0477 131 114.
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